Essential workers who have held the line through the COVID-19 pandemic are getting an olive branch from the provincial government. The government of Saskatchewan announced today they would top up wages for lower-income workers helping Saskatchewan’s vulnerable citizens.

The wage supplement will be cost-shared top-up of $400 per month. The supplement will apply to an estimated 35,000 lower-income, essential workers at senior-care, group homes, childcare facilities, and emergency and transition shelters.  

“Workers at these facilities have been helping many of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable citizens get through the COVID-19 emergency,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said.  “This new wage supplement reflects how greatly we appreciate their ongoing efforts and dedication under challenging circumstances.” 

The new wage supplement consists of a flat $400 per month benefit for up to 16 weeks (March 15 to July 4) for each eligible worker.  The application process for the supplement will be outlined in the coming days.

Workers at senior-care facilities, including private care homes and home care, childcare facilities, group homes run by community-based organizations, or emergency shelters and transition shelters are eligible if they make less than $2,500 per month. This will apply to caregivers, cooks, and cleaners, both full-time and part-time.

“Often family members help support their loved ones in facilities, but visitation restrictions have made that impossible, putting even more emphasis on the essential roles of these workers,” Harpauer said. 

The new wage supplement will be cost-shared with the federal government at an estimated total cost of about $56 million.