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The Citizen, 1994-12-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14,1994. Steckle — ‘We need more skilled people’ Continued from page 1 was usually these interjections that brought about the most discussion. For example, in discussing the current unemployment structure, Mr. Steckle asked if the people felt there was a need for more training nrograms fnr people CUITSRllV collecting unemployment insurance, stating the emphasis of late has been too much on theory and not hands-on experience. "We don't have all the skilled people we need in Canada," Mr. Steckle said, expanding this with examples of immigration from Eastern Bloc countries by tool and die makers, and other skilled labourers. This was met by a member of the discussion group identifying himself as a skilled tradesman. "There's no use in training me for another job. I'm too old. What I would like to know is, with all these training programs, are people - getting placements?" The man further said that most available jobs in the current market are of a low-income nature. He said for an older worker with a family to support to assume a position as such, there would be little possibility of earning sufficient income to maintain that family's standard of living. "Perhaps the government could consider not taxing people earning less than $10 per hour. You can't support a family on $7 an hour." Some merit was seen for adjustment payments in the UI program. This system would be for frequent UI claimants - people who experience recurring unemploy­ ment problems. The Green Paper suggests that these adjustment payments would be lower than the basic insurance payments, but the frequent claimants would receive more active assistance in Ending employment. The Green Paper defines a frequent claimant as an individual who has made three claims or more in the past five years. Forty per cent of people on UI fall into this category. The Liberals see this as a Structural problem in the employment market more so than a result of the state of the economy. Seasonal workers would be taken into consideration, but may have to participate in off-season training programs. The discussion of adjustment payments and family wealth brought out some debate on the possibility of putting a cap on family income. Some members of the discussion group expressed frustration about seeing people who previously held high-income jobs claim unemployment insurance while a spouse continued to earn their own high income. The suggested amount came in at $100,000 per family. "The idea of a cap has some benefits. It will tell us to be responsible...we have to educate people to be responsible. If you're making that much and get laid off and are unable to carry your­ self... you have to be responsible. There needs to be a cut-off level for support," one lady said. Regionality was also an issue in the debate. In Wingham, for example, a worker is required to have a minimum of 17 weeks insurable employment before receiving UI. In Listowel, a worker must have 20 weeks to qualify. The public members of the group felt that these kind of discrepancies contributed to the abuse of the system. They felt there is a need for one set of rules for all, and that the chronically unemployed should be made to pay out more UI during employment periods. In 1993, employer and worker premiums funded the UI system to the tune of $81.5 billion. The discussion group also felt that there is a need for some kind of employer incentive for joh retraining instead of releasing workers to the UI system. Currently, the government paper states, there is little incentive for unemployed people to learn a new skill that may be in demand. In addition, there must be effective measures and introduced to prevent employers and workers from scheduling around the UI system: that is alternating employment with UI benefits. Further to that, abuse has led to higher premiums for employers which further discourages job creation. Mr. Steckle also took some heat over the public sector employment base. Some people expressed disgust at the kind of employment benefits that were available in the public sector, while private sector employees had to pay out huge premiums for substandard employee benefit packages. "We have a two-class system. I feel anybody that's in the public sector, whether it's the people at the town office, the works department, MPs, anybody that's reaching into my pocket had better be responsible. There should be one set of rules," one man said.~ ~ : 1 1 Aiiviiin U u^iliC5biiidli, Dill Ireland of Teeswater, expressed his frustration in dealing with some government programs relating to financial assistance. Mr. Ireland currently has a major contract available to him and has been seeking assistance to raise some operating capital. He explained the contract could result in the addition of 10 jobs at his manufacturing operation - the only one of its kind in Canada - but he had to go through so much red tape and bureaucracy he was left understanding why so many Canadian firms have left for the south. "It seems like we have a leaky roof and we're running around putting buckets down. Why not get up on the roof and fix the top. "The government won't help us secure contracts. The best way to get people off UI and welfare is to work with the employers. There are too many games in the bureaucracy and people are tired of dealing with Canadian banks." .The employment debate evolved into that of education, and the dismantling of technical programs in the school system. While education is a provincial mandate, people fell there needed to be guidance from the federal government to help students progress. Of the most concern was that of rising tuition costs and the loans programs available. It was felt there needed to be an indexed method of repayment on student loans. "Maybe the way we're giving them financial assistance is wrong. Maybe we need to look at the way (financial assistance) is paid out," Mr. Steckle pondered. In all, the brightest suggestion of the evening came out in discussing the Canada Assistance Program. The sharing of costs for services between the federal and provincial government needs to be addressed, with duplication of government services seriously considered. But those in attendance felt there needed to be greater focus on developing partnerships with the business sector and greater definition of who gets involved in what. Even Santa Knows The Citizen makes a great Christmas That one’s nice Anya Scott, left, of Carlow and her sister check out some of the crafts available at the Walton 4-H craft and bake sale held on Dec. 10 at Walton Wl Hall. 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