Two weeks ago, the Manitoba Government announced their so-called “Risk Recognition Program,” which was actually a one-time top-up payment for lower-wage workers.
On June 16, they quietly announced expanded eligibility criteria, doubling the income ceiling to $12,500 earned between March 20 and May 29, 2020. The “minimum hours worked” requirement remains at 200 hours over that same period.
This means that some of you may now qualify for this one-time payment, although we expect that the majority of full-time Allied Health Professionals, and many part-timers, will still be excluded based on the income ceiling and minimum hours worked requirement.
Details of this provincial program, including a link to apply, can be found on the Manitoba Government website: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/infomanitobans/mrrp.html. If you have further questions about the program that aren’t answered on the website, you can contact the Manitoba Economic Assistance Office, toll free, at 1-888-805-7554. If you believe you should qualify but are excluded based on your classification, we want to know about it at info@mahcp.ca.
I will state once again that one-time taxable bonuses, whatever they may be called, are never a substitute for real wage increases.
MAHCP will continue pushing to get back to the bargaining table so we can negotiate a fair deal for our members who have been without a contract for more than two and in some cases three years.
In solidarity,
Bob Moroz, MAHCP President