The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is calling for paid sick leave after the provincial government announced paid time off for workers to get COVID-19 vaccines Thursday.

SFL President Lori Johb says while the government’s decision to provide paid time off for vaccinations will make workplaces safer in the long run, more needs to be done to prevent workplace outbreaks. She suggests the reality is many workers will still have to wait a few months to get their vaccine and in the meantime they are continuing to put themselves at risk of contracting COVID-19 when they go to work.

Johb says the government needs to take action immediately to ensure permanent, paid sick leave for all workers in Saskatchewan, as too many workers continue to go to work sick because they can’t afford to miss their shift.