NSNDP

November 24th, 2020

People need paid sick days in order to stay home

HALIFAX - Rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and new public health restrictions are highlighting again the need for paid sick days for everyone.

“It is completely unfair for the Liberals to tell people they need to stay home when they are sick, while the Liberal party refuses to provide paid sick days for every single worker in this province,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “No one wants to go to work when they are not feeling well, but too many people in our province are put in the difficult position of having to choose between losing pay or following public health advice.”

When asked about this issue, the Premier often refers to the federal government’s Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit. But the benefit only covers up to $500 per week, has a long list of eligibility requirements, and requires people to apply and wait.

“The Liberals continue to ignore the provincial role in providing paid sick days to help make sure people can stay home when they are sick. Instead, they are begging employers to be lenient and telling people to focus on the federal program, which is far from universal or automatic,” said Kendra Coombes, NDP Labour Spokesperson. “To stop the spread of COVID-19 people must be able to stay home when they are not feeling well. The easiest way to do this would be by passing the NDP’s legislation for paid sick days for all.”

The NDP introduced legislation to provide paid sick days to every employee in September 2018, well before the current public health crisis. The Liberal Party plans to prorogue the legislature on December 18, which will prevent this important legislation from being passed.

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