As a part of another initiative amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the British Columbia Government has introduced legislation to fill gaps in sick pay. As a result of this legislation, employees will receive three days of paid sick leave for those who have COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating, or are waiting for the test result. In this paid sick leave program, employers must pay full wages to their employees while the British Columbia Government reimburses employers up to $200 per employee per day.
The Federal Government launched a program last year to assist workers who were unable to work due to COVID-19. However, critics noted that the program has significant gaps. Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) is for employees who are unable to work at least 50 percent of a scheduled work in a week due to COVID-19 sickness or are advised to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, eligible individuals can receive $500 (450 after taxes) each week. However, this plan did not cover people who have symptoms but have not been advised to self-isolate or those symptoms to be tested. There were also concerns involving payments which led to revise the program and introduce this new three days paid sick leave.
Furthermore, the B.C legislation will also provide permanent paid sick leave, beginning January 1, 2022, for individuals who are unable to work due to illness or injury.
Canada’s Government is working tirelessly for Canadians in this COVID-19 pandemic. Canada has taken numerous initiatives in terms of employment-related interventions so far. Some of the Nationwide measures are:
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) subsidy
- Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS) 10% subsidy
- Temporary Relief for Certain Pension Plan Contributions
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
- Employment Insurance Work Sharing Program
- Temporary income support for workers
- Improved access to Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit
- Supplemental unemployment benefits
- Temporary layoffs — Employer obligations
- Leave related to COVID-19
and many more.
Thanks to Canadian Government!
Source: Global News, KPMG
