NSNDP

July 31st, 2021

NDP will provide 10 paid sick days for all employees so people can afford to stay home when they’re sick

Halifax – Today, NDP Leader Gary Burrill spoke with Leanne Partridge about the concerns she has about Iain Rankin taking away her paid sick days.

“This weekend Iain Rankin is cutting paid sick days for thousands of people who will now have no choice but to work sick,” said Burrill. “Many of the workers we interact with on a regular basis, like grocery store workers, are losing their paid sick days. For many people they cannot afford to take unpaid days off so they will come to work sick, putting others at risk."

Almost 70 per cent of young workers under the age of 30 have no access to paid sick time.

“The financial impact of having no paid sick days is awful. You can be off for three days in a row and that has a major impact on your monthly budget,” said Leanne Partridge.

Even during a global pandemic, the Rankin Liberals left workers waiting a year before providing temporary paid sick leave. Iain Rankin is taking away paid sick days on July 31, 2021, leaving thousands of real people without a choice but to go to work sick.

“Iain Rankin doesn’t understand that real people rely on their work to pay their rent and other bills and can’t afford to take unpaid time off when they’re sick,” said Burrill. “Paid sick days protect people from infectious diseases and help ensure workers don’t become seriously ill by going to work sick.”

An NDP government will add 10 paid sick days to the Labour Standards Code so every employee in the province can afford to stay home when they are sick.

“Many hard-working people put their own health on the line and went to work during the last 18 months,” said Burrill. “Rankin called them heroes and is now taking away the paid sick days they need. Keeping everyone safe makes sense. It’s time for something better.”

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