(Quebec) Unvaccinated healthcare workers will lose thousands of dollars in bonuses linked to COVID-19. According to a compilation from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), full-time nurses could lose some $ 30,000 over a year and patient attendants, about $ 16,000.
Employees of the public health network who are not adequately vaccinated have been deprived of the premiums and lump sums offered under the various ministerial orders since the start of the pandemic.
An estimate produced by the MSSS shows the income that nursing staff in CHSLDs will lose according to the scenario where the worker is eligible for all the premiums in effect.
A nurse clinician at step 14 (middle step) of the salary scale (approximately $ 80,000 per year) could lose up to $ 32,000 in income. This amount includes the retention bonus of $ 15,000 paid by Quebec to nurses who occupy a full-time position in the network under certain conditions.
For a beneficiary attendant, still in a CHSLD, the losses could amount to more than $ 16,000 over a year for a worker who earns $ 46,000 per year.
The MSSS deducts from income the 8% premium, the full-time flat rate per week ($ 140 per week for a PAB and $ 100 per week for a nurse) and the lump sum (after four weeks without absence) offered on the other hand. only in CHSLDs in hot zones.
Unvaccinated workers no longer have access to their premiums since the first postponement of the deadline for compulsory vaccination, on October 15. “It is not everyone who has seen the effect on their pay so far”, argued Wednesday the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé.
The Legault government hopes that the loss of income caused by the withdrawal of these premiums may push some workers to be vaccinated.
Employees who are not adequately vaccinated should also undergo regular screening three times a week. Quebec will pay for the screening, but the employee will nevertheless have to do it on his own time.
COVID-19 testing costs range from $ 24 to $ 60 depending on the technology used. This value includes the human resources necessary for their achievement, specified the MSSS.
The Liberal Party of Quebec denounced that “Quebecers are paying for the failure” of the government. Quebec should impose on unvaccinated workers the costs of their screening, demanded the Liberal leader, Dominique Anglade.
Some 14,000 workers in the public health network have yet to receive any dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including about 8,000 in the field. Of this number, some 5,000 are caregivers.