The Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus (MLLC) and the Michigan AFL-CIO announced the introduction of the ‘Workers First Reopening Plan’ to support workers and ensure their safety in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The comprehensive 11-bill package aims to do more to protect Michigan workers while limiting the timeframe of missed work by employees. These worker protections, while using increased testing, increased workplace sanitation, and social distancing practices, will help to avoid a large economic disruptions and curb unforeseen costs.
“Allowing workers the leeway to stay home and get healthy before coming back to work will protect our workforce, protect their families and ultimately protect our businesses by avoiding a long-term shutdown,” said state Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette), a member of the MLLC who introduced two of the bills in the package. “In the end, having paid sick leave and hazard pay protections for workers during a pandemic will save our economy. By being proactive instead of reactive, everyone wins.”
Rep. Cambensy’s first bill would create special paid sick leave protections for COVID-19, allowing workers to take time off due to doctor-ordered self-quarantine or to take care of a family member who is ill with the virus. The second would extend hazard pay during declared health emergencies to workers that provide direct face-to-face care but are often exempt from receiving additional support, like those working in high-risk workplaces like long-term care facilities and correctional facilities. The better we prepare and protect our workers, the better we can protect our businesses and facilities that depend on this workforce.
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