As we enter a third wave of the pandemic – what is showing to be the harshest wave yet – the provincial government must implement paid sick days.
Paid sick leave is a critical component of a pandemic response and yet, despite a call for paid sick leave from municipal governments and health authorities, the Ontario government has not implemented paid sick leave. Paid sick leave would help reduce the COVID-19 variant spread.
Paid sick leave is a gender issue. Women are less likely to have access to paid sick leave. Workers without paid sick leave are more likely to be in roles that are low paid and involve direct contact with others, like working in grocery stores, long-term care, or cleaning services. These roles are disproportionately held by women, particularly racialized women.
We cannot wait any longer to legislate paid sick days.
Take action now and tell the Ontario government you support paid sick days.