April 30, 2020

While Québec is collectively and humanly reaching a pivotal time in the pandemic, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ is calling on the employers in the health and social services network and government for healthcare professionals to no longer be unduly subjected to ministerial order 2020-007, published on March 21^st.

If one understands the general objective of this order in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, its application has major effects on the healthcare professionals that are worrying the FIQ. By giving full authority to the employers to manage the workforce, all time off can be cancelled, schedules modified and reassignments organized for personnel.

In some regions, like Bas-Saint-Laurent and Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the situation is stable with very few cases of COVID-19, but the order is used as if there is an acute crisis. “Healthcare professionals have cooperated since the beginning of the health crisis and they understand the importance of mobilizing workers for the fight against COVID-19 very well, however they are seeing that several employers are using the order to resolve workforce problems that existed before the crisis and this must stop”, declared Nancy Bédard, President of the FIQ.

On April 27, the FIQ spoke directly with the Minister of Health and Social Services so that healthcare professionals can plan to have vacation, which in several cases has been cancelled. “Although healthcare professionals were praised at the beginning of the pandemic, we are now neglecting the disastrous effects it has on their lives. They are mothers, spouses, natural caregivers: their energy is mobilized not only by the pandemic from a professional point of view but also becomes an unprecedented puzzle for coping with everyday life. Our demand is clear. All healthcare professionals must be able to take a break. We are asking the Ministry to send a clear signal to employers in the healthcare network. Our members are human beings behind the masks!”, added Nancy Bédard.