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The federal government has announced a temporary national sick leave program. It will help some workers who need income support for leave related to COVID-19, but it’s not the permanent paid sick day policy we know our patients need. A thread. #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives
As health providers, we continue to call on governments across Canada to legislate paid sick days that are:
Adequate
Permanent
Seamlessly accessible
For all workers
The time to act is now. #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives
Adequate Permanent Seamlessly accessible For all workersThe time to act is now. #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives
Adequate paid sick days means at least 7 permanent paid sick days, with an additional 14 days during public health emergencies. #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli
We need permanent paid sick days available during COVID-19 so that all workers can isolate effectively, and available after the pandemic to prevent the spread of all sickness and infectious disease. This is an urgent public health necessity. #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives
Paid sick days must be seamless to access. This means when workers take a sick day, they don't risk losing income or face barriers like sick notes or forms. The proven & effective way to ensure this is by legislating employer-provided paid sick days through employment standards.
Paid sick days must be universal & guaranteed to all. Over half of workers in Canada are denied #paidsickdays & they're more likely to be in low-income, precarious jobs. We need to close the gap to protect those most in need. This is a matter or racial, economic & social justice.
Paid sick days are feasible. It’s been done -- in San Francisco, New York, Washington & other jurisdictions! Legislating paid sick days through employment standards is the proven & effective model across North America. Time for all provincial governments in Canada to follow suit!
This week, Colorado passed one of the most comprehensive paid sick day bills in North America. It provides up to 6 paid sick days to all workers as a permanent measure + up to 10 additional paid sick days during health emergencies. https://www.abetterbalance.org/colorado-sets-a-new-standard-for-paid-sick-leave/?fbclid=IwAR0CCbL8lX975B9ptZWdp5CMIS3X6IM9x6ZMkdZ3N7a1OLjm9W4KyXcFEkM
Join tomorrow’s day of action for paid sick days for all workers. We cannot afford to wait any longer. It’s urgent to protect public health now & beyond the pandemic! Register here: https://www.decentworkandhealth.org/july_action #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives
