Many retirees choose to return to the labor market to break isolation and occupy their daily lives, but many are hesitant because of deductions imposed by governments.
Skill is ageless and Monique Fortin is proof of that. At the age of 75, she has three jobs under her belt.
“I’m bored at home, I have to see people. If I don’t see people, I’m going to die. I don’t want to die, so I’m going to continue until I’m a hundred years old,” he laughed.
The Almatoise works almost 50 hours a week. His days are divided between McDonald’s Alma, Lotto Quebec and the central restaurant.
“Everyone told me ‘Monique, don’t go there, what are you going to do with the young people!’ I said: I’m going to learn,” she said.
Ms. Fortin was named the company’s Employee of the Month last June.
However, returning to the job market after retirement implies significant financial cuts and Ms. Fortin is not spared.
“I donate at least 40% of my salary. Inflation affects us a lot when we are not working. I only have a small pension, the minimum pension is $648. After that I have a little income because I didn’t have a paying job. If I just go down with it without a husband, I can’t do it,” she explained.
“What I earn is just to say that they give me something. But I don’t do it for money, I do it to be surrounded by people and to always be able to enjoy the experience”, justified Taddeo Donato.
Many retirees would be willing to put their shoulders on the wheel to make up for labor shortages. However, economic cuts are a brake that convinces many retirees to back down.
“Sometimes I miss it, but working for nothing doesn’t give me much,” lamented Gaétan Grenon.
“Let’s say people would be allowed to earn $15,000 a year without being penalized by taxes or pensions. I have always liked selling shoes, the relationship with the client. If he did that thing of selling shoes at 8 pm a week, he would be fine”, reflected Bertrand Beaumont.
“Working is great in life to be able to give to others what you have learned. At the moment, we are playing golf”, mentioned with humor, Jean Lajoie.
“I know a lot of people who would like to work at least two or three days a week. I think the government broke its promise. Legault will come to power? If he wants in, let him give us a tax credit! I’m asking for 25,000 in tax credits. Everyone I’ve talked to, that’s what they want. 25,000 in tax credits and I guarantee you there is no more labor shortage!” said Monique Fortin.
The Saguenay-Le Fjord Chamber of Commerce recently published an open letter on the subject, which is supported by 20 co-signatories, who are entrepreneurs or business managers in the region. Every day, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry receives calls for help, as the region is not exempt from labor shortages.
82% of its members have also identified this issue as a major challenge for the coming year. A difference of almost 50% with the second number that follows. The statistics confirm this: last May, the unemployment rate in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean was 4%, while the number of vacancies went from just over 3,000 to almost 6,000 in just 2 years.
For them, there is no doubt that the quickest solution to counter labor shortages is to hire experienced workers, but the government still needs to relax certain administrative and tax provisions.
“If the government said: no matter what pension we have, instead of giving $500 to combat inflation, tell retirees that we are going to allow them to go back to work and give them, for example, a maximum amount of $15,000 that will not penalize their pensions. I am convinced that there are many retirees who would consider returning and that would help Quebec. It would also help these people fight inflation, which is important. When we talk about an inflation of 8-9-10%, retirement income does not increase by this magnitude”, explained Luc Boivin, one of the signatories of the letter and General Manager of Fromagerie Boivin.
#Retirees #sanctioned #working