Workers welcomed the decision
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the revival of Australia's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, which will last until September 30.
The $750 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a lump sum payment for workers who are under isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 when they cannot report to work and earn income.
The Albanese administration has been under pressure from various groups to extend the initiative after it expired on June 30, pointing out that without the payment, employees may be forced to report to work even if they are unwell.
And according to Albanese, the payment will be restored until September 30, with the eligibility to be backdated to July 1. The cost of the initiative will be 50:50 between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories, according to Albanese.
"This is a fair way going forward. All of the States and Territories, as well as the Commonwealth, understand that emergency payments are just that," he said. "They can't continue forever given the fiscal constraints that are on governments at all levels, but that this is an appropriate measure going forward."
Albanese cited as reason for the revival is the risks associated with more infectious new variants through the winter period.
Read more: Can I reduce a worker's pay due to COVID-19's impact?
In response to the announcement, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) welcomed the decision from the government.
"The health minister has been very clear that COVID case numbers are expected to increase in coming months as we deal with new variants and reinfection, meaning many workers will be without employer sick leave – restoring Pandemic Disaster Leave Payments is the best way to protect Australians," said ACTU secretary Sally McManus in a statement.
"PM Albanese has made the right decision to protect workers and businesses by restoring Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments."
According to ACTU, the government's decision will not only benefit casual workers, but as well as hundreds of thousands of workers who have run out of sick leave.
"Bringing back Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments is very welcome and means that workers will no longer have to decide between isolating with the virus and putting food on the table for their families," said McManus.
