Authors: Leah Schatz, Q.C., Shane Buchanan
This blog was originally published on April 30, 2020.
On April 30, 2020 the government of Saskatchewan announced a $400 per month temporary wage supplement to help workers providing support to vulnerable citizens through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $400 flat rate benefit will be available for up to sixteen weeks, between March 4, 2020 and July 4, 2020, for each eligible worker. The supplement will be cost-shared with the Federal Government at an estimated total cost of $56 million.
On June 4, 2020 the Saskatchewan government announced expansions to the program eligibility to include all employees of licensed public or private long-term care facilities under restricted visitations as per public health orders, regardless of income level.
To be eligible for the supplement, workers must earn less than $2,500 a month and be employed at one of the following:
- Senior care facilities, including private care homes and home care;
- Licensed childcare facilities;
- Group homes run by community-based organizations;
- Emergency shelters;
- Private day cares; and
- Approved private services homes.
Full-time and part-time caregivers, cooks and cleaners , employed at facilities which meet the specified criteria will be eligible for the temporary wage supplement.
Individuals working at assisted living facilities that are subject to public health orders are also eligible for the wage supplement if their wage was less then $24 per hour in the four-week period for which they have applied for the supplement.
For more information and details concerning the Temporary Wage Supplement please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Saskatchewan labour and employment group.
Note: This article is of a general nature only and is not exhaustive of all possible legal rights or remedies. In addition, laws may change over time and should be interpreted only in the context of particular circumstances such that these materials are not intended to be relied upon or taken as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult a legal professional for specific advice in any particular situation.