Health Workers Calling for Paid Sick Days

Ann, while COVID infections spike in BC, there has never been more urgency around the need for us to demand action on paid sick days.

More than 11,500 people have died from COVID 19 in Canada and it is widely understood now that low-wage, precarious work without paid sick days and health benefits are a major risk factor in contracting the virus.

That's why it is important that the new BC majority government ensure every single one of us have seamless access to adequate sick day protections.

The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, released a report that recommends paid sick days to achieve health equity and protect from the current and future pandemics. Without paid sick days, "particularly if they are economically insecure, workers may feel unable to comply with public health guidance to stay home when sick."

We know that Covid-19 spreads in workplaces. In fact, more than 26,000 compensation claims filed after COVID was contracted at work. If workers have the option of taking a day to stay home and assess their symptoms without the fear of losing income, it would protect not only other employees but also the public at large. Currently, most people in BC do not have employer-paid sick day coverage and these employment standards vary widely from place to place.

All workers need paid sick days in order to bend the curve once more.

Join us and health workers in an online organizing call to keep pressure for adequate paid sick days on December 2, at 6pm-7pm. Health workers will have the opportunity to learn from each other and to talk about the fight for permanent worker protections. Register for the event by clicking here.

Frontline workers have been working throughout the pandemic and are at greater risk of exposure. We are calling on all health workers to use their voices to demand for paid sick days!

This is a critical moment, let's make this happen!

More details to be announced soon.

Date: 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 09:00