UNIONSACT is backing calls for casual employees to receive sick leave entitlements in light of the coronavirus. 

“Without access to sick leave, casual workers who become ill face the dire choice of attending work while sick in order to have the income they need to survive, or be stood down by their employer without pay or self-isolate, and have no way to pay their bills,” says UnionsACT secretary Alex White.

According to UnionsACT, there are about 65,000 workers in the ACT (and 3.3 million across Australia) with no sick leave entitlements.

“Other countries are providing direct support to casual employees by providing financial support to workers who are isolated,” Mr White says.

With governments and employers requesting workers self-isolate, Mr White says working people should not pay the costs of the Federal Government’s calls to voluntarily self-isolate, or face personal economic ruin if they are stood down without pay.

“The Federal Government should put aside its anti-union crusade and work with unions during this crisis,” he says.