Healthcare Unions Meet Taoiseach Over Long Covid Pay Scheme Ending for 120 Workers
Healthcare unions met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss the ending of a special pay scheme for 120 healthcare workers with Long Covid. The scheme's termination in December leaves many reliant on insufficient illness benefits. Unions welcomed a commitment to review the Critical Illness Protocol for further engagement.
Healthcare unions convened with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to address the termination of the «special leave with pay» scheme for healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid.
Until December of last year, healthcare workers affected by Long Covid received their full salary under this scheme, which had been extended multiple times. Upon its conclusion in December, these workers transitioned to the standard public service sick pay scheme. This scheme provides three months of full pay, followed by an additional three months at half pay, which is set to expire in June.
Approximately 120 healthcare workers are now facing the loss of their ordinary sick pay. This situation could leave many reliant on illness benefits, which unions contend are insufficient. Representatives from several healthcare unions, including the INMO, SIPTU, Forsa, and the IMO, participated in the meeting with Mr. Martin today.
Following the discussion, a union spokesperson stated, «Unions felt the meeting was positive and welcome the commitment to reviewing the application of the Critical Illness Protocol to allow further engagement on the substantive issue.» The spokesperson added, «Unions are looking forward to further positive engagement with the Taoiseach, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health.»