Health care advocates lament damage to fragile system
With the unveiling of the budget in Ontario came the announcement the province is ending the program that has given workers three paid sick days during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
While many employers already provide a certain number of paid sick days, the province’s program provided a safety net for those who do not have access to paid sick days.
The program was first introduced in April 2021, while medical professionals were saying paid sick days was essential to preventing the spread of the virus. Ontario will let the program expire on March 31st.
The Opposition NDP pushed for ten permanent paid sick days and leader Marit Stiles says people should never be forced to go to work sick just to put food on the table.
Federally regulated employees have access to ten paid sick days per year.
Health care advocates in Ontario are warning this could negatively impact the province’s fragile health care system, with arguments against the province’s decision outlined in a Toronto Star report.
Dr. Bernard Ho, an emergency and family physician who belongs to the Decent Work and Health Network (DWHN) says in a statement the move “delivered another blow to Ontario’s health care system” and references overcrowding in hospitals.
“This is such a basic health and labour standard,” says Deena Ladd of the Toronto-based Workers’ Action Centre.
A Ministry of Labour spokesperson issued a statement to the Toronto Star saying the program was designed to help people take time off work to isolate or get vaccinated, but now the province “has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.”
Ladd is “frustrated and angry” and says the decision will heighten financial insecurity and increase health risks for workers who have to choose between getting paid and going to work sick.
There is also concern the decision could contribute to the spread of viruses, whether it’s COVID-19, or other infectious diseases like the flu.
Health and safety professionals may want to think about what kind of paid sick day policies they have within their organizations. Alternatively, working from home solutions could be a compromise that help workers experiencing mild symptoms avoid spreading viruses, while still being able to contribute and collect pay.
