November 3 , 2009

ICBA praises extension of Employment Insurance to owner-operators

(November 3, 2009 - VANCOUVER) The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) is praising a move by the federal government to extend Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits to self-employed workers, which would include many owner-operators working in construction in BC.

“Many independent contractors work as owner operators, from truckers to drywallers to painters, and with these challenging economic times, the extra security offered with extending EI special benefits is welcome,” said Philip Hochstein, President of the ICBA.

Hochstein added that enabling owner-operators to collect benefits for sickness, compassionate care, maternity and parental situations is a good step, ICBA hopes to see some measures put in place to ensure these benefits aren’t abused.

The federal government introduced the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act today, and self-employed workers can sign up for the plan beginning January 1, 2010, and start claiming benefits one year later.

-30-

Media contact: