Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this Bill on sick leave and parental leave for two main reasons. First, it addresses in a real, meaningful and sustainable way issues that workers, parents and guardians are facing around sick and parental leave because of Covid-19, which many of them will continue to face over the next six to 12 months. Regarding Covid, we have to accept that it may not be one's problem today but it could be tomorrow or next week. Many people who thought it would never be their problem are facing that issue of paid parental leave today as their children cannot attend school. This proposal needs to be an integral part of our Covid strategy, which is reasonable and feasible.

Second, I am aware from my time as a member of the employment and social affairs committee of the European Parliament that Ireland is one of the few countries that does not have legislation in place that guarantees all workers the right to decent levels of sick pay. Many Members have spoken about different EU countries that have mandatory sick pay levels in place.

The one I know best is Belgium where workers are entitled to 30 days at 100% of their wages. Belgium could hardly be described as a socialist country or dominated by the far left. In fact, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, was the former Prime Minister of Belgium and he is a member of the liberals in the European Parliament. Yet his and previous Belgian Governments ensured that Belgian workers are entitled to 100% of their wages for 30 days if they are sick. Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, a bastion of the European People's Party, could never be described as fiscally irresponsible. Yet in Germany, workers are entitled to six weeks at 100% of their wages. Let us take some of the fiscal hawks, such as the Nordic countries, which keep a tight rein on the public purse. In Finland, the benefits range from nine days at 100% while in the Netherlands they range from two years at 70%.

The proposals put forward by the Labour Party are reasonable. Not by any stretch of the imagination are they in the highest bracket compared to what is in place across the EU. The Bill recognises, as it is recognised in many other European countries, that workers are social partners. That means they should be fully entitled to a guarantee of protection if they fall ill or if they need to take time when their children cannot attend school or crèches. As we speak, many parents are facing that decision this morning while many others do not know if they will face it tomorrow morning. Workers have lives to lead and families to feed. Crucially, illness or adverse circumstances surrounding their ability to work, particularly during Covid, can strike any time. There is no vaccine or antidote to that.

The Government call to delay this change is not the solution. We all know it can propose any amendments it considers necessary to this Bill, as can any other party or group in the House. The Bill is not the finished product but is a start. We should not wait any longer. We also need to look at options to protect SMEs, as well as our workers. That balance needs to be struck. The Bill is a good start, which should be voted through. People will then see that we are serious about looking after them during this Covid period.

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