The changes to the Employment Insurance system that have slowly trickled out over the last couple of weeks are concerning.
For what those changes are, see Exploited Natural Resources Required to Exploit Natural Resources.
I'd like to examine those changes to predict that the changes will create a malaise across affected Canadians and that it will drive up crime, both of which will contribute to higher health costs over time and a Canadian populace that is less happy and less healthy.
Forced to work for less money
The government seems determined to use Employment Insurance as a set of spurs, with which to drive people receiving EI to take jobs that pay a minimum of 70% of their previous employment. If they don't take those jobs, then their EI is cut off. The standard line is that 70% of your last wage is better than 55% of your last wage on EI.
EI premiums are paid by people specifically so they can be drawn when needed. What the government is saying is that if there is a job that pays 30% less then EI is not needed. Lording this money over the heads of Canadians will create an atmosphere of anxiety and will contribute to stress, which is a huge factor in overall health.
So I'm working for 30% less money in a government-spurred job. What do I do when I am disenfranchised at work?
- I work less
- I produce less
- I call in sick more
- I am less focused and attentive
- I cost my employer more in benefits and lost productivity
All these things can contribute to not only my own health but the health and welfare of those around me, especially if I am in an industrial or resource-based job, which have been constantly touted as 'acceptable work' in the Maritimes.
As well, if I'm forced to take a job for less money, it is even possible I want to be fired, to get back on EI after my foray into the government sponsored world of work opportunities.
Forced to relocate
This has been downplayed by the government but the writing is on the wall. People will be forced, through the withholding of their EI payments, to relocate for jobs, specifically seasonal employees and long-term EI recipients.
So I had to relocate. What does this mean?
- I am far more likely to actively try to get a job in my previous community
- I am far more likely to take a job in my previous community and re-re-locate
- Without a support network in place, relocating will probably be more expensive
This also drives up the cost of training and hiring for businesses, as they will soon realize that government-forced employees have one eye on the door at all times and could leave in a puff of smoke at the drop of a hat. This places additional stress up the employer as well as the employee.
Everyone has unskilled labour skills
The government firmly states that, on the one hand, people will not be expected to take jobs that do not fit their skillset. But on the other hand they also make constant reference to a lack of people to fill unskilled jobs, which by extrapolation everyone has the skills for. I have unskilled labour skills! You do too!
A nation of skilled labour being put to work by the government in unskilled jobs. Sounds like a dystopian movie. This will create a general malaise amongst ex-EI claimants, especially those with specialized skills, working in those jobs. Remember, you can make someone work but you can't make someone happy at work. And unskilled jobs are not as rewarding when you have skills in other areas.
Revolt equals crime
So let's say I've decided to not work for less than I think I am worth, and let's say I'm not going to move just because the government says I have to. Let's say I'm going to stay right where I am and continue to look for work but EI be damned. Now what?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist working at McDonald's to realize that the nature of the EI changes will lead to an increase in crime. I need money. The government is making me dress up in a monkey suit and grind an organ for that money. I won't do it. I'll find the money somewhere else.
So now that I'm engaged in some crime to support my family, my stress levels are up and I'm angry at the government.
I'm angry that they would put me to work 'in the mines', in a McJob, and at the same time repealing the fair wages act, so no matter what happens I'll probably make less. But I'll have a job and the government can brag about their 'net new jobs', and apparently everyone will be the happier for it. Except for me. I'm still angry and feeling boxed in.
And when Canadians are pushed, especially when their families are involved, they will push back. Hard.
Conclusion
The government has taken the term 'human resource' and placed it in the context of 'natural resource'. We are all now just natural resources to extract other natural resources. We are no longer Canadians, we are taxable units of work energy.
As Ted Menzies said, on the record in Hansard:
A mining company in St. John's, Newfoundland is looking to hire 1,500 people through the temporary foreign worker program.
There are 32,500 people [in Newfoundland] looking for work right now. That is why we are trying to make EI more effective, to help these mining companies get people to employ.
Canadians will be looking to a government that is not grooming them for the mines.