Supporting workers

Working people must be supported to take the measures necessary to help control the spread of Covid-19. 

This must include access to paid special leave, so that workers are able to identify themselves as sick and isolate themselves at home.

This must include informal, casual, contract or precarious workers who would otherwise attend work while sick for fear of loss of income or future shifts. 

Workplace protection

Every workplace must have a plan to deal with Covid-19, which includes: 

• information, training and support about local measures for infection control - and adequate facilities to put this into practice
• appropriate hygiene
• social distancing and isolation
• work from home arrangement where practicable
• how to report any concerns in a way that encourages workers reporting and ensures they are not discriminated against or suffer any adverse consequences
• arrangements for those required to be away from work, as a result of infection control measures
• paid special leave for confirmed cases, self-isolation as a result of contact with confirmed cases, awaiting test results, self-isolation if returning from travel to certain locations
• a contingency plans if health authorities shut down schools, public events, work sites to ensure that working people can care for children or other dependent family members 

High-risk jobs

Working people doing jobs dealing with the public, such as public transport, are at an increased risk of exposure of the virus. There must be adequate measures in place to protect them from infection. 

This must include providing a workplace free from harassment, bullying and other effects of heightened anxiety among members of the public.