COVID-19 and your rights
Jul 01

Be Safe at Work; Practice Social Solidarity

Protecting your labour rights during the COVID-19 crisis is a matter of public health

See the pamphlet on COVID-19

 

Occupational Health and Safety

The employer must apply the necessary hygiene measures to limit the spread of the virus. They cannot force you to work in unsafe conditions.

Refusing Unsafe Work

A worker has the right to refuse to perform work if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the performance of that work would expose them to danger to their health, safety or physical integrity.

Contact CNESST

In the event of a work refusal, call 1-844-838-0808 and dial 9, then 1. An inspector will be dispatched to the site as soon as possible. An anonymous complaint may also be filed with CNESST.

Employment Insurance Regular Benefits

Laid-off? You are entitled to regular benefits if you have accumulated between 420 and 700 hours of work (depending on the city you are in).

The waiting period is maintained, you will not be compensated for the first week, but you will be compensated for the following weeks for 55% of your income.

New Emergency Care Benefits
Sick Benefits

  • If you are ill, in quarantine or in voluntary isolation:
  • You are entitled if you have accumulated more than 600 hours of work.
  • The one-week waiting period can be waived. You must call: 1 833 381-2725.
  • Benefits can cover the period of absence from the first day of leave.
  • You do not have to provide a medical certificate

COVID-19 Screening Clinic
Hôtel-Dieu

Access to the COVID-19 screening clinic at the Hôtel- Dieu Hospital is open to everyone, regardless of their immigration status, with or without RAMQ coverage. For proper referral call: 1 877 644-4545

New emergency care benefits will be available by April 2020.
For more info, contact: Service Canada

Quebec Aid for Workers

This is a financial assistance program for people who are not eligible for employment insurance. The lump-sum amount granted to an eligible person is $573 per week, for a period of 14 days of isolation. It can be extended up to 28 days depending on your health.
Check online for the form @ Quebec.ca

Other Measures

The Régie du logement has suspended hearings on eviction notices (including for unpaid rent).
Hydro announced no service interruption for non-payment until further notice.
Revenu Québec and Canada Revenue Agency has extended the deadline for filing taxes to June 1, 2020.

Don’t wash away your rights! CONTACT US

 

Temporary Agency Workers Association (TAWA-ATTAP) – IWC-CTI

110-4755 Van Horne
Montreal, QC

Métro Plamondon

514 342-2111
info@iwc-cti.ca

I’m afraid for my safety at work. What can I do? Will I be paid if I get sick? Do I get extra pay during the pandemic?

Allan Matudio Pandemic

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 — Staff from the Immigrant Workers Centre distribute information at Montreal Metro station informing workers about their rights during COVID-19 crisis.

Latest Campaign News

Press Release: “End curfew repression! Stop police harassment!”

The IWC issues four demands to protect precarious essential workers   Montreal, January 26, 2021. Precarious workers demand an immediate end to the harassment, detention, ticketing and arbitrary bullying of essential workers without status by police on the pretext of enforcing the curfew. The Immigrant Workers Centre demand that the following policies be implemented immediately:   A don't ask, don't tell policy for workers without status Acceptance of the essential... Read more →