The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour wants the province to grant more paid sick days to workers.
In response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the province brought back a program that covers up to four sick days, or $160 per day.
NSFL President Danny Cavanagh says that doesn’t go far enough, as many workers still have to choose between staying home or paying bills.
“It was fine for everybody to call people heroes that were on the front line during the start of the pandemic. We need to make sure that we’re going to look after those people, especially when we see waves like this hit us,” says Cavanagh.
He’d like to see the province enact a ten-day permanent employer paid sick leave policy.
Cavanagh says thousands of workers are without paid sick days, despite being in the middle of the largest outbreak in our history.
“They’re concerned for themselves and their family members. That’s why we feel it needs to be enshrined into labour standards, so it can cover any kind of sickness.”
The NSFL are encouraging Nova Scotians to contact their local MLA and call on the legislature to respond immediately.
