Labor shortage: Employers ready to drastically increase hourly rates

Even though the minimum wage hike is about to go into effect, many employers are raising their hourly rates beyond that to attract workers.

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According to a recent survey polling nearly 300 top employers, 30% of them would like to be offered more, between $5 and $7 an hour.

The increase will be in addition to a new increase in the minimum wage, which will increase to $15.25 an hour starting May 1.

“Our internal survey actually showed that,” explains Eric Bowtie, founder and president of Event Carriers, in an interview with TVA Nouvelles.

“Employers are willing to pay much more hourly than the minimum wage to attract workers, because in reality, we’re still short of workers, more than ever,” he said.

The survey was conducted by the organizers of the Job and Continuing Education Fair held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal.

Employers who want to offer these hourly rates also come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

“Employers are in different sectors. There are SMEs, companies in the manufacturing sector, services,” lists Mr. Boutie.