CAUT welcomes assistance for workers and calls for support of post-secondary education amid COVID-19 spread

March 18, 2020
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Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

Across Canada, as universities and colleges are taking important steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, CAUT welcomes the $27 billion in direct support to Canadians announced today by the federal government. This is an important step in ensuring that vulnerable Canadians, including post-secondary education workers and students, are adequately supported throughout this crisis.

Many of those in the post-secondary sector – contract academic staff instructors, support staff and students – have precarious work with limited job protection and few benefits. The new emergency care benefit of $900 biweekly for those who do not have access to paid sick leave, a six-month interest-free reprieve on student loan payments, and a deferral of tax payments until August 31, among other measures, are necessary steps to support vulnerable workers.

As we move forward in addressing the crisis, we hope our governments continue to adapt and evolve programs to meet the needs of workers and their families. In addition to this financial support, measures are needed to uphold workers' rights at the provincial level.We call upon all provinces to ensure job-protected leaves, and to make the necessary changes to employment standards to close the gaps in support made evident from this public health emergency.

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