Unions and big business unite in call for paid pandemic leave
Unions and big business have made a united call on the federal government to provide paid pandemic leave to all workers who need to isolate and get tested for the coronavirus.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions and Business Council of Australia, which represents the country's largest companies including BHP, Coles and the major banks, released a joint open letter to the government on Monday saying paid pandemic leave was an "essential public health measure".
Jennifer Westacott, chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, says the federal government should bear the cost of paid pandemic leave.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
"The recent outbreaks in Victoria have highlighted that there are still a number of workers who are attending work whilst infectious or at risk, which is accelerating the rate of community transmission," reads the letter, signed by ACTU secretary Sally McManus and BCA chief executive Jennifer Westacott.
Casual workers do not get sick leave, which has sparked concerns they may still be going to work in industries where they cannot work from home, though they can access the Victorian government's $1500 hardship payment.
Last week the national industrial tribunal awarded paid pandemic leave to aged care staff at the cost of the employer.
The two groups want paid pandemic for all workers who have to isolate or get tested under state law. They say the federal government should bear the cost with state government support and workers should be able to take it multiple times in two week bursts if they fall sick more than once.
Some large companies including Woolworths and Coles have announced they would pay their casual staff if they have to take leave. However, Ms McManus and Ms Westacott write that "not all [companies] are able to do so given the cost, especially in the current circumstances where workers are often required to isolate and get tested on multiple occasions".
The federal government is considering the evidence about whether introducing paid pandemic leave will help stop the spread of COVID-19.