ADVISORY: Patients denied 10 paid sick days once again, amidst record high inflation and unprecedented crisis in healthcare

Published November 28, 2022
by Sarah Shahid

Nov 28, TORONTO, ON -  The Ontario government voted against Bill 4, Stay Home if You Are Sick Act, 2022, just after 12pm ET today, which would have legislated 10 paid sick days and 14 additional days during public health emergencies.

Health workers on the front lines are frustrated and upset by this government’s refusal to legislate a life-saving policy while healthcare across the province is in an unprecedented crisis. Hospitals are facing a “tripledemic” – with rising flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases – and pediatric ICUs are operating above capacity. Yet, this government just denied workers access to 10 paid sick days, which would have reduced the burden on our healthcare system and kept communities safe and healthy.

The Ford government’s decision to vote against Bill 4 will deepen the affordability crisis for patients already navigating record-breaking inflation that has led to unmanageable food and housing costs. Without any financial support to stay home when they are sick or their child is sick, the pressure on workers to go to work despite illness is growing. 

Health workers from the Decent Work and Health Network are available for comment. 

To arrange interviews, contact:

Sarah Shahid
Coordinator, Decent Work and Health Network
[email protected] | 514-415-4666

About the organization:

The Decent Work and Health Network is a coalition of health providers advocating for improving working conditions to help protect and promote the health of our patients. We are a group of doctors, nurses, health workers, and experts who have been leading voices for paid sick days as an urgent evidence-based public health measure.

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Background:

  • In 2018, the Ford government canceled the 2 permanent paid sick days that workers in Ontario had won.
  • Lack of paid sick days has led to workplace outbreaks, disproportionately impacting workers in precarious employment.
  • The Ontario government introduced the Worker Income Protection Benefit (WIPB) in April 2021 that provided 3 government-funded paid sick days for COVID-related illnesses only.
  • While the WIPB supported many workers to get vaccinated, it remains highly inadequate according to medical experts and labour advocates. 
  • The WIPB was extended three times without adding additional days or making it renewable. As a result, it only  offers 3 temporary sick days for a period of over 700 days. The current program is set to expire in March 2023.

Paid sick days legislation across jurisdictions

  • Canada
    • BC - 5 permanent paid sick days
    • QC - 2 permanent paid sick days
    • Federal - 10 permanent paid sick days that come into effect Dec 1, 2022
    • ON - 3 temporary paid sick days for COVID-related reasons only, extended until March 2023
    • MB - 5 temporary paid sick days for COVID-related reasons only, expired March 2022
    • NS - 4 temporary paid sick days for COVID-related reasons only, expired May 2022
    • PEI - 10 temporary paid sick days for COVID-related reasons only, extended until Dec 2022 & 1 permanent paid sick day (after 5 yrs of continuous employment with the same employer)
    • YK - 10 temporary paid sick days for COVID-related illnesses only, extended until March 2023
  • U.S.
  • Global
    • Australia - 10 days
    • New Zealand - 10 days
    • Iceland - 12 days
    • Switzerland - 6 weeks
    • Germany - 6 weeks

More detailed information here: https://cepr.net/documents/publications/paid-sick-days-2009-05.pdf 

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