Paid sick leave program should cover time off for vaccinations

HALIFAX – The NSNDP is calling on the Houston government to extend the new Paid Sick Leave Program to include time missed from work to get vaccinated. With the relaunch of the program, the government has an opportunity to support more people in getting themselves and young children vaccinated.

“While vaccine appointments are available, people without paid leave are stuck looking for appointments outside of regular work hours for themselves or their children. That’s why we want time off to be vaccinated included in this program,” said NDP Labour spokesperson Kendra Coombes. “Thousands of people are currently unable to work because they are close contacts or have tested positive for COVID-19. The more people that get vaccinated, or get their boosters sooner, the better for everyone.”

The new program is supposed to launch Monday, January 10th. A similar program during the third wave cost under $1 million and covered 4,000 sick days.

“The relatively low cost of this program last spring shows that people aren’t abusing sick days when they’re available,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “People need the protection of paid sick leave and they need it to also cover vaccinations.”

The NSNDP tabled legislation in the fall sitting to create 10 paid sick days for all employees in the province through the Labour Standards Code.

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