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  3. Covid -19 and the key changes that will protect workers in the event of illness

Covid -19 and the key changes that will protect workers in the event of illness

March 09, 2020
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Following our recent letter to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar regarding the imperative to protect the net income of workers who become ill with Covid -19 or are forced to self isolate, a number of key changes have been made to the current State illness benefit scheme with a view to meeting our claims. 

These include a waiver on the 6 day waiting period, a 50% increase in the current illness benefits, and a waiver of PRSI contribution qualification requirements. 

These provisions will remain in operation for the duration of this public health emergency.

General Secretary Patricia King said about her discussions Government and employers representatives, "it was of the utmost importance to uphold the net incomes of all affected workers". 'there is an onus on employers to pay their employees,  and this should not fall entirely on the State," she said.

For up to date information on COVID-19 unemployment payments https://www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/?referrer=/pandemicsupport/

 

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