Ontario Federation of Labour “shocked” paid sick days not in new COVID-19 measures

The Ontario Federation of Labour says Ontario’s new public health measures don’t go far enough to stop the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

The federation says it is shocked that the slate of emergency measures announced Tuesday didn’t include paid sick days for workers.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been a disconnect between stay-at-home orders and the provision of adequate government protections for workers,” said federation president Patty Coates.

“We are well past the time for action, Ford’s conservative government must step up, provide leadership and the protections that workers and communities need now.”

Coates says the policy would save lives.

Mayors in the Greater Toronto Area have called for a paid sick leave policy for months, saying people are going to work while sick because they are afraid of losing income.