[Ireland] Leo Varadkar prepares to introduce Statutory Sick Pay Scheme in 2021

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar is preparing to introduce Ireland’s first statutory sick pay scheme in 2021. The scheme will compel employers to top up sickness benefits for workers who are absent for more than six days for reasons of ill health. The move to bring in a formal statutory sick pay scheme follows workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 earlier this year. Dozens of the affected workplaces were employers offering low levels of paid sick leave, like childcare facilities, meat processing plants and nursing homes.

On Saturday 1,012 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Republic, and three deaths. There are now 199 coronavirus patients under treatment in Irish hospitals, 31 of those infected are in intensive care. Some estimates have suggested that no more than half the Irish labour force can currently access paid sick leave. Two surveys conducted by the trade union Siptu reportedly found that around 10 per cent of workers in meat processing and 16 per cent of childcare workers are entitled to it. The Times reports what the change would mean for both employers and employees.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar is preparing to introduce Ireland’s first statutory sick pay scheme in 2021. The scheme will compel employers to top up sickness benefits for workers who are absent for more than six days for reasons of ill health. The move to bring in a formal statutory sick pay scheme follows workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 earlier this year. Dozens of the affected workplaces were employers offering low levels of paid sick leave, like childcare facilities, meat processing plants and nursing homes.

On Saturday 1,012 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Republic, and three deaths. There are now 199 coronavirus patients under treatment in Irish hospitals, 31 of those infected are in intensive care. Some estimates have suggested that no more than half the Irish labour force can currently access paid sick leave. Two surveys conducted by the trade union Siptu reportedly found that around 10 per cent of workers in meat processing and 16 per cent of childcare workers are entitled to it. The Times reports what the change would mean for both employers and employees.