Many retirees choose to return to the labor market to break the isolation and occupy their daily lives, but many hesitate because of the deductions imposed by governments.
Skill has no age, and Monique Fortin is proof of that. At the age of 75, she has three jobs to her credit.
“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,” she laughed.
The Almatoise works nearly 50 hours a week. His days are divided between McDonald’s in Alma, Loto-Québec and the central restaurant.
“Everyone said to me: ‘Monique, don’t go there, what are you going to do with young people!’ I said: I will learn, ”she said.
Mme Fortin was named employee of the month within the company last June.
Penalized for working
Returning to the workforce following retirement, however, involves significant financial cutbacks, and Mme Fortin is not spared.
“I donate at least 40% of my salary. Inflation affects us a lot when we are not working. I just have a small pension, the minimum pension is $648. After that I have a little bit of income because I didn’t have a paying job. If I just fall with that no husband, I can’t do it, ”she explained.
And she’s not the only one
“What I earn is just to say that I am given something. But I don’t do it for the money, I do it to be surrounded by people and to always be able to use the experience”, justified Taddeo Donato.
Many retirees would be ready to put their shoulder to the wheel to overcome the labor shortage. However, the financial reductions are a brake that convinces many retirees to back off.
“Sometimes I miss it, but working for nothing doesn’t give me much,” lamented Gaétan Grenon.
“Let’s say that people would have the right to earn $15,000 a year without being penalized by taxes or pensions. I have always liked selling shoes, the relationship with the customer. If I did that sell shoes at 8 p.m. a week, that would be okay,” reflected Bertrand Beaumont.
“Working is great in life to be able to give to others what you have learned. For the moment, we are playing golf”, mentioned, with humor, Jean Lajoie.
“I know plenty 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 to come 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 that there is no more labor shortage!” claimed Monique Fortin.
Open letter
The Saguenay-Le Fjord Chamber of Commerce recently published an open letter on the subject, which is supported by 20 co-signers, who are either entrepreneurs or managers of businesses in the region. Every day, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry receives calls for help, as the region is not spared from the labor shortage.
82% of its members have also identified this problem as a major challenge for the coming year. A difference of almost 50% with the second issue which follows it. The statistics confirm it: last May, the unemployment rate in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean was 4%, while the number of vacant positions went from just over 3,000 to almost 6,000 in barely 2 years. .
For them, there is no doubt that the quickest solution to counter the labor shortage is to hire experienced workers, but the government still has to relax certain administrative and fiscal provisions.
“If the government said: it doesn’t matter what pension income we have, rather than giving 500 dollars to fight inflation, telling retirees that we will allow them to return to work and give them, for example, a maximum amount of $15,000 which will not penalize their pensions, I am convinced that there are many retirees who would consider the choice of returning and that would help Quebec. It would also help these people to fight inflation, which is important. When we talk regarding 8-9-10% inflation, retirement income does not increase by this magnitude, ”explained Luc Boivin, one of the co-signers of the letter and general manager of Fromagerie Boivin.
