Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 2 月【新聞後記】安省調升最低時薪引發的爭議

【新聞後記】安省調升最低時薪引發的爭議

 

寒天飲雪水,點滴在心頭!入冬以來,南安省持續低溫,甚至刷新數十年來同日最低溫紀錄,最低溫降至零下攝氏 20 多度,連風凍效應更低至零下 30 多度,互聯網上熱傳多倫多比北極甚至火星還要寒冷。不過,對不少賺取最低工資的僱員而言,剌骨的寒風,遠不及個別僱主的不合理做法令人心寒。

咖啡連鎖店削減員工福利

新修訂的安省勞工法於今年 1 月 1 日起正式生效,其中備受爭議的最低時薪由原來的$11.6增至 14 元,並會於明年(2019)1 月 1 日再上調到 15 元。全省打工一族,在上月收到糧單時,終於分享到安省經濟繁榮的成果。可惜的是,新年一開始,多倫多以東 Cobourg 的 Tim Hortons 特許經營店店主, 發信給員工指因為省府提升最低工資,要取消對員工的福利,包括要求員工支付部份福利供款,取消員工的有薪休息時間,取消通宵工作的補貼和員工收受小費的權利。


原本為客人送上咖啡溫暖的 Tim Hortons,卻對員工冷酷無情,事件立即成為各大傳媒及社交網絡上的焦點。追查後發現,這家分店的店主,是 Tim Hortons 兩位創始人的兒子和女兒,他們和自己子女坐擁 14 億美元的資產,是本國著名富豪之一,而牽涉削減員工福利的 Tim Hortons 特許店更至少有十多間。

工會採取抗議行動

安省勞工聯盟(OFL)隨即行動,於多間 Tim Hortons 門外舉行抗議活動,並要求 Tim Hortons 母公司 Restaurant Brands International 介入,採取措施令其下特許經營店取消他們的不當行為 (截稿前該母公司仍未有具體行動)。安省勞工部長亦明確指責, 有企業要求員工減工時,甚至減福利,是企業欺凌;又表示,勞工部已經招聘 175 人,專責執法工作,期望在 90 日內解決違反勞工法的投訴;另外,每年亦會主動巡查省內十分之一的職場,確保員工獲法例保障。

今次事件鬧得滿城風雨,有商界人士指責始作俑者是安省政府。在缺乏廣泛咨詢,甚至就業標準法改革委員會也沒有建議加薪幅度的情況下, 省府貿然宣佈於短短幾個月內,將全省最低時薪由過往的$11.60 增加至 14 元,增幅達 20﹪;若以明年 1 月 1 日的 15 元比較,升幅更達 30﹪。一份最新經濟分析指出,安省調高最低時薪後,僱主只會將五份一新增的成本轉嫁消費者,其餘五份四就要自行承擔,避免貨品價格過高而影響營業額。故此有業界解釋,在勞工成本大幅上漲下,僱主削減員工福利縱然不應該,但情有可原,是無計可施下的對策之一。

企業良心 vs 利字當頭

可是,既然省府是始作俑者,為什麼商界大企業不向省府施壓表達强烈不滿,甚至採取更強烈行動,迫使省府改變初衷如延遲執行日期,又或要求省府向商界提供更多稅務優惠及補貼?為什麼不以其他方法開源節流?反而向領取最低工資的基層員工開刀,單方面削減他們應有的員工福利?為什麼如 Tim Hortons 的全國大企業也不能將「人」放在「利」的前面,建立一個保障底層打工者的企業良心風氣?

調升最低工資,讓基層工人分享經濟成果絕對是工人之福,但省府可能在政治考慮下急於推行,缺乏廣泛諮詢及凝聚共識,令措施未見其利先見其害。安省財務問責辦公室估計,由於最低時薪調漲,安省將淨損失約 5 萬個工作職位;加拿大央行近期的一份報告也做出了同樣的預測,指各省的最低時薪調升政策,今年初全國就業人數將減少 6 萬人,其中 15 至 19 歲的年輕工人受到的衝擊將最大。

關注組織恐其他公司企業仿效

有勞工關注組織表示,員工被剋扣福利甚至工資只是冰山一角,有關情況一直存在。以往不論最低時薪是多少,總有為數不少的無良僱主以各種藉口沒有向員工資付最低工資。其中華人社區有不少支付現金的工種,是員工被剝削的重災區。 今次最低工資大幅調升, 加上形象正面的全國大企業 Tim Hortons 特許店率先被揭發削減員工福利, 肯定成為其他企業仿效的先例,預計更多公司企業會用盡不同方法待薄工人,勞資糾紛肯定會此起彼落。關注組織呼籲省府加強監管有無僱主違法, 同時鼓勵打工仔面對僱主不合理待遇時必須齊心,加強工作保障及維護合理權益。『因為經上說:牛在場上踹穀的時候,不可籠住他的嘴;又說:工人得工價是應當的。』(提前五:18)

 

      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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