Lawmakers reveal essential worker bill of rights proposal
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In a proposal unveiled Monday, two lawmakers are calling for better protections and “premium pay” for essential workers on the front lines, naming such workers as those in health care, grocery, retail and food service as facing a greater threat.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, said in a joint statement that they are expecting an “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” be included in the next coronavirus relief package to pass Congress.
The high-risk employees listed included doctors, nurses, home care workers and other health care workers, grocery store and drug store employees, domestic workers, food service workers, federal, state and municipal employees, janitorial staff, farm workers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, transportation workers and child care workers.
In addition to better health and safety protections and “robust” premium compensation, the lawmakers are calling for the document to contain protections for collective bargaining agreements, universal paid sick leave and family and medical leave that included 14 days of paid sick leave and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, protections for whistleblowers, an end to worker misclassification, health care for uninsured that includes public programs to provide no-cost care coverage for all, increased support for child care, worker involvement in crafting government responses, and policies that hold corporations accountable for meeting their responsibilities.
More insurance and risk management news on the coronavirus crisis here.
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