NDP introduces Paid Sick Leave in private member’s bill

REGINA - Today, NDP Associate Labour Critic Jennifer Bowes introduced Bill 606, the Saskatchewan Employment (Paid Sick Days) Amendment Act to provide paid sick leave for workers in Saskatchewan.

“We’ve called on the government to listen to workers, doctors and public health officials who have all called for paid sick leave to keep Saskatchewan people,” said Bowes. “The Sask. Party government’s failed pandemic response has made Saskatchewan last in the nation – the highest COVID death rate, and dead-last when it comes to job growth. We need to be doing everything possible to reduce the spread of COVID in workplaces.”

Bill 606 would provide 10 paid sick days each year during non-COVID times and 14 paid sick days during the COVID-19 state of emergency. The Saskatchewan NDP also called on the government to work with businesses to implement the paid sick days in a way that does not unduly burden small and medium-sized businesses during the course of the pandemic.

“Lives would be saved if every worker could afford to stay home when they're sick,” said Bowes. “At any point, we need to ensure workers who are sick are able to stay home, but this is even more true in a pandemic. It’s the choice between risking going to work sick, or risking the roof over your head by staying home. No one should have to make that choice. The workers of this province deserve better.”

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For more information please contact:

Brock Bowman

306-519-9549

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