[Ireland] Government must fast track sick pay for all

The Labour party has called the fact that Ireland is one of only five countries in the EU not to provide statutory sick pay a 'disgrace', Limerick Leader reports.

Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock has said it is a disgrace that workers throughout the country are expected to return to the workplace without paid sick leave guaranteed to them.

Highlighting the challenges ahead for both workers and employers, Senator Sherlock said at this delicate time for the workplace, Ireland’s Government must fast-track Labour legislation to provide for sick pay for all.

“There has been much jubilation about the return to the workplace, however, Government is leaving workers in an extremely vulnerable position without paid sick leave. COVID has not gone away and many workers will be concerned about the return to the workplace. While employers will have done their best to make workplaces safer, we are all well aware of the transmissibility of the Delta variant and how quickly it can spread throughout any indoor environment," Senator Sherlock said.

"We understand that as many as half of all private-sector workers do not have a guaranteed right to be paid if they fall ill which is simply unacceptable as people return to the office. The reality is, outbreaks may occur and workers, through no fault of their own, may become sick. In this precarious context, Government must do better for workers and guarantee them a right to be paid if they fall ill.

“The reality for most people is they can’t afford to be sick - bills still need to be paid, mouths still need to be fed. So we need to break this cycle of people having to choose between going into work while sick, or else losing a portion of their income. This is a crucial question of workers' rights, but it is also the essential missing piece in our strategy against COVID-19. During a pandemic, we have a special duty to guarantee sick pay as soon as possible in the name of public health," the senator continued. 

“We are at a very delicate time in our COVID journey and the world of work has changed entirely. Workplaces will face challenges ahead, managing vaccinated workers and unvaccinated, making accommodations for people in the physical workplace as well as scheduling different routines. Other than a memo to cabinet in June, the Government has been entirely silent on introducing paid sick leave for workers throughout Ireland.

“In fact, the Government’s memo set sick pay at 70 per cent of earnings; this simply isn’t good enough for the lowest-paid workers in our society who rely on every cent they earn to make ends meet. Ireland has one of the highest rates of low pay in the OECD, second only to the United States. If these workers fall ill, they should never have to choose between their health or their income. But for many, a 30 per cent pay cut for taking legitimate sick leave will leave them in an impossible situation. Labour’s Bill would ensure that every person is entitled to 100 per cent pay when they fall ill," Senator Sherlock said. 

“Sick pay is not a luxury. Across the EU, 22 countries already have a statutory right to sick pay, as does the UK. Ireland is one of only five EU members that doesn’t recognise this essential right.

"Not only should people not come to work while sick, we need to ensure that they don’t to avoid outbreaks in the workplace. The Government has a responsibility to employees, employers and to communities to introduce mandatory paid sick leave," the senator said.

Source: Limerick Leader

The Labour party has called the fact that Ireland is one of only five countries in the EU not to provide statutory sick pay a 'disgrace', Limerick Leader reports.

Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock has said it is a disgrace that workers throughout the country are expected to return to the workplace without paid sick leave guaranteed to them.

Highlighting the challenges ahead for both workers and employers, Senator Sherlock said at this delicate time for the workplace, Ireland’s Government must fast-track Labour legislation to provide for sick pay for all.

“There has been much jubilation about the return to the workplace, however, Government is leaving workers in an extremely vulnerable position without paid sick leave. COVID has not gone away and many workers will be concerned about the return to the workplace. While employers will have done their best to make workplaces safer, we are all well aware of the transmissibility of the Delta variant and how quickly it can spread throughout any indoor environment," Senator Sherlock said.

"We understand that as many as half of all private-sector workers do not have a guaranteed right to be paid if they fall ill which is simply unacceptable as people return to the office. The reality is, outbreaks may occur and workers, through no fault of their own, may become sick. In this precarious context, Government must do better for workers and guarantee them a right to be paid if they fall ill.

“The reality for most people is they can’t afford to be sick - bills still need to be paid, mouths still need to be fed. So we need to break this cycle of people having to choose between going into work while sick, or else losing a portion of their income. This is a crucial question of workers' rights, but it is also the essential missing piece in our strategy against COVID-19. During a pandemic, we have a special duty to guarantee sick pay as soon as possible in the name of public health," the senator continued. 

“We are at a very delicate time in our COVID journey and the world of work has changed entirely. Workplaces will face challenges ahead, managing vaccinated workers and unvaccinated, making accommodations for people in the physical workplace as well as scheduling different routines. Other than a memo to cabinet in June, the Government has been entirely silent on introducing paid sick leave for workers throughout Ireland.

“In fact, the Government’s memo set sick pay at 70 per cent of earnings; this simply isn’t good enough for the lowest-paid workers in our society who rely on every cent they earn to make ends meet. Ireland has one of the highest rates of low pay in the OECD, second only to the United States. If these workers fall ill, they should never have to choose between their health or their income. But for many, a 30 per cent pay cut for taking legitimate sick leave will leave them in an impossible situation. Labour’s Bill would ensure that every person is entitled to 100 per cent pay when they fall ill," Senator Sherlock said. 

“Sick pay is not a luxury. Across the EU, 22 countries already have a statutory right to sick pay, as does the UK. Ireland is one of only five EU members that doesn’t recognise this essential right.

"Not only should people not come to work while sick, we need to ensure that they don’t to avoid outbreaks in the workplace. The Government has a responsibility to employees, employers and to communities to introduce mandatory paid sick leave," the senator said.

Source: Limerick Leader