Medical Experts Call for Immediate Paid Sick Days

Medical experts and members of the Decent Work and Health Network joined NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to call on the province to implement paid sick days for all workers — including migrant workers now engulfed in COVID-19 hotspots.

“Like PPE, paid sick days are an essential protection. Reopening workplaces without permanent, legislated paid sick days puts our patients -- and the wider public -- at risk," said Carolina Jimenez, registered nurse and coordinator of the Decent Work and Health Network. "Workers need seamless access to paid sick days. We know from our own experience with doctors’ notes that any obstacles to workers receiving their pay will defeat the purpose. Workers who can’t risk losing pay or delaying pay, will wind up going to work sick.”   

“Workers all over the province go to work when they feel unwell because they’re forced to choose between that, or losing the day’s pay," said Horwath. "For some, it’s a choice between going to work sick, or being unable to keep food on the table. And migrant workers fear they could be fired, or even be deported if they call in sick for work.”

Hundreds of migrant workers reportedly have tested positive for COVID-19, and two have died of the virus. On Monday, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change released a shocking report that detailed cramped living conditions, poor access to food, and being forced to work for weeks without a day off. 

Dr. Monika Dutt, Family Physician and Public Health Specialist, noted that, “in jurisdictions with paid sick days, the evidence is overwhelmingly clear. Paid sick days prevent the spread of infection and can save lives. Any government serious about protecting public health, needs to move on paid sick days immediately."

"If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dutt, "it’s that we cannot afford to think of paid sick days as a cost, particularly for those in precarious work situations. Paid sick days need to be a permanent investment in public health that results in saved lives, healthier communities and lower health care costs.” 

“Paid sick days are crucial for frontline workers in jobs with low pay, few benefits, and little protection, who are disproportionately racialised, Black and Indigenous workers," said Dr. Gary Bloch, Family Physician and Associate Professor at University of Toronto. "When faced with a choice between paying rent or losing pay because they’re sick, most workers will choose rent. Without paid sick days, they will go to work sick. It’s that simple."

"If we are serious about protecting the frontline workers who have been keeping the economy functioning," continues Bloch, "then we need an adequate number of paid sick days for all workers.”

Watch the press conference here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9vczxfbgq56j05z/Final%20Sick%20Pay%20FINAL_.mov?dl=0