Pharmacy Daily | Paid pandemic leave on the table

RISING numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Victoria could see the Fair Work Commission (FWC) reconsider its decision to reject calls for paid pandemic leave to be added into health awards.

Earlier this month the FWC ruled that it did not consider that there was a need to establish a paid pandemic leave entitlement (PD 10 Jul), however, earlier this week it suggested it believed there may be justification to "grant a paid pandemic leave provision in the Aged Care Award 2010".

"We consider that the 'elevated risk' that is discussed in our earlier decision has clearly manifested itself in the aged care industry, at least in Victoria," the FWC said.

"We have also formed the provisional view that it would be necessary to extend any such entitlement to casual employees, since we consider that the developments we have set out indicate the existence of a demonstrated threat to the aged care system in Victoria.

"In that connection we have in mind that if such an entitlement was established, it would apply to casual employees engaged on a regular and systematic basis, and would entitle them to payment based on an average of their earnings over the previous six weeks.

"The entitlement would initially be established for a temporary period of three months."

While the FWC's proposal is focused on the Aged Care Award, not the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, the Commission has indicated it would consider relisting the claim at a later date should there be evidence of extensive outbreaks in the sector.

Meanwhile, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has released the results of a survey finding close to 81% of Australians would support paid pandemic leave for workers forced to isolate due to the virus.

ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus, urged the Federal Government to introduce paid pandemic leave to reduce job insecurity.

"Workers who are getting tested and isolating are saving lives and saving jobs, they shouldn't lose any pay or put their job at risk to do that," she said.

"We should be thanking and supporting people who are doing the right thing, not punishing them."