Dear Premier Doug Ford,
With workplace transmissions making up a bulk of the rise in COVID-19 cases, there’s a growing consensus that ensuring paid sick days for all workers is absolutely necessary to slow the virus’ spread.
Front-line workers have been put in the impossible position of having to choose between paycheque and the health and safety of themselves and others. We can’t allow that any longer.
If a worker is sick, they should be able to stay at home – and they should be supported in doing so. Far too many people won’t stay at home when they are feeling sick because they won’t be able to pay for food, rent, and other essentials if they do so.
Healthcare professionals, front-line workers, mayors, and politicians of all stripes, including former leaders of your Conservative Party, have called for your government to institute paid sick days immediately. Medical Officers of Health have specifically called for a minimum of 10 paid sick days for workers.
It’s time to listen to the experts. It’s time to stop the deaths and the unnecessary infections. We urge you to immediately act on the following demands:
- Implement paid sick days for all workers;
- Ensure vaccinations for all frontline workers;
- Provide paid time off from work for vaccination;
- Immediately end any enhanced police powers;
- Make sure there is appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers.
Workers needed paid sick days before this crisis. But now, more than ever, all Ontarians need access to paid sick leave if we are going to prevent more deaths from COVID-19.
Sincerely,
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