Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 8 月【新聞後記】有人快樂有人愁的安省最低時薪

【新聞後記】有人快樂有人愁的安省最低時薪

 

「...你必汗流滿面才得糊口,直到你歸了土,因為你是從土而出的...」

聖經創世紀記載,人類始祖阿當犯罪後被神詛咒。從此,辛勞工作便成了世人不可擺脫的命運;多年來,勞工階層亦成為長期被剝削的對象。 身為全國製造業龍頭大哥的安省,近年不少工種外判及流失,工人的待遇及薪酬一直被指脫節,追不上現代社會的需求。直至省府於6月公佈了「更公平職場、更好工作」計劃,並大幅調高最低工資,安省勞工的生活質素才算獲得基本保障,勞工團體才高呼是多年不斷增取的重大勝利。

鑑於安省現行的勞工法例是在上世紀 90 年代制訂的, 當中多項條款被指不合時宜,對勞工保障不足。安省執政自由黨終於在 2015 年春天成立專責顧問小組, 廣泛諮詢各界,針對安省勞工法的修訂提出建議。顧問小組先在去年夏天發表中期報告,列出二百多項建議,並在今年 5 月提交最終報告,共提出 173 項改革建議。省府在極短時間內接納報告大部份建議,甚至報告書沒有提及的最低時薪也一併作出規劃,並於 6 月 1 日提交了第148號法案 --「2017 年更公平職場、更好工作法案」,正式大幅修訂過往的勞工法。

新勞工法具體內容

最低工資: 2018 年 1 月 1 日起最低工資由目前 11.4 元加至 14 元,2019 年 1 月 1 日更提高到 15 元, 之後每年按照通貨膨脹上調。

同工同酬: 擔任和全職員工一樣工作的兼職、臨時、及季節性員工必須和全職員工的工資一樣 。

合約工種: 省府將有措施防止僱員被歸類為合約工種,保證他們能享有和全職員工同樣的福利和待遇。

帶薪休假: 任職 5 年後,僱員最低有薪年假將增加到 3 個星期。

緊急假期: 工人每年有 10 天個人緊急情況假期,當中最少 2 天是有薪假期。

其他還包括工人輪班工作的安排、特許經營店舖員工成立工會的細節,以及可透過其他公司追討倒閉公司僱主欠薪及賠償等等, 均是勞工團體過往多年一直爭取的勞工保障及權益。然而,新聞焦點及社會輿論壓力卻落在十八個月內將最低時薪大幅提升超過 30% 至 15 元。

最低時薪增至 15 元的爭議

省府數據顯示,目前約有 10% 工人是領取最低時薪 11.40 元,即年薪只有 23,712 元,仍然處於貧窮線以下,薪酬不足以應付日常開支,而約三成的工人時薪則低於 15 元。當最低工資提升到 15 元後,年收入將是 31,200 元,比目前每年多賺 7488 元。省長韋茵強調,提高最低工資將為數百萬人改善生活。

但工商界卻強烈反對短期內大幅提高最低工資32%,不滿步伐太急速。多個商會、餐飲業協會及特許經營協會組成聯盟,向省府發表公開信,抨擊提高最低工資是獨裁專制的政治決定,並沒有考慮大部份小商戶根本無法負擔相關工資增幅,若不將薪酬加幅轉嫁到消費者身上,可能要被迫結業,直接影響經濟發展。僱主若維持原定的員工薪酬預算,將要裁減員工人數以平衡開支。例如過往十萬元可聘請 4 名員工,但未來只足夠招募 3 名員工,不利就業市場。

不過,加拿大 50 名經濟學者聯署支持安省將最低工資增至 15 元,表示工人增加收入將帶動消費,有助刺激整體經濟發展。有爭取工人權益的組織亦以美國西雅圖為例,指西雅圖今年實行 15 美元的最低時薪後,當地餐飲行業生意反而更好。目前西雅圖是美國失業率最低的城市之一。

商會要求省府提供紓緩措施

由大多倫多4大華商會組成的華商聯合總會亦約見安省財長蘇善民,表達對短期內大幅調升最低時薪的關注,並建議省府為中小企提供例如稅務寬減等措施,紓緩商戶面對工資成本上漲的壓力。至於多個行業聯盟及安省商會則強烈要求省府三思,必須考慮政策改變對經濟造成的後果,要求在未來幾個月由獨立的第三方主持全面經濟影響評估。

第 148 號勞工法案目前已通過二讀,負責諮詢公眾意見的委員會,7 月中開始巡訪安省各地進行公眾諮詢收集意見,期望暑假過後提交最終法案,交由省議會於秋季會期辯論及三讀。期間,法案的內容及細節均有修改的可能,省民仍可透過出席公眾諮詢會或向所屬選區省議員發表意見。衷心期望,省府在提交最終法案時,內文可以平衡勞資雙方的關注,或為中小企提供紓緩措施,令新修訂的勞工法既可保障工人權益及改善工人生計,同時不會影響營商環境、窒礙經濟發展。「...做工的得工價,不算恩典,乃是該得的...」(羅四:4)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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