The government has every opportunity to effectively reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Latvia, ensuring that the state pays for the incapacity for work sheet from the second day of illness, said Kristaps Klauss, executive director of the Latvian Wood Industry Federation.
He pointed out that the government should amend the law “On Maternity and Sickness Insurance”, stipulating that the state pays for incapacity for work leaves in full during this crisis period. This would significantly reduce the potential spread of the virus in work collectives and the risk of illness throughout the country.
“In times of crisis, there is no time to theorize, but to act pragmatically and lead a society like ours. Selfishness and the belief that this will not happen to me are also strong during Covid-19. It is no wonder that employees do not want to lose their jobs. , comes to work with mild signs of a cold, but the employer is often ready to accept it, because in Latvia, unlike neighboring countries, he has to pay nine out of the first ten days of illness, “Klauss pointed out.
The executive director of the Federation of the Wood Industry stressed that in these circumstances it is absurd to say that employers want to “leave” at the expense of the state. For example, the timber industry currently has a favorable market situation for many product groups and many producers are unable to meet all current demand. Thus, due to a sick employee, an entrepreneur will in any case pay either with unearned income or by asking other employees to work longer and pay for overtime in accordance with the Labor Law.
It has already been reported that the Minister of Health Ilze Hänķele (AP) told the Latvian Television program “Morning Panorama” that “it may be worth compensating the entrepreneurs for the incapacity of employees from day one” at least during the Covid-19 pandemic “.
She stressed that at this time of the spread of Covid-19 infection, it is extremely important that people with symptoms of any acute illness do not go to work. “But what do entrepreneurs say? They have to pay for incapacity for work from day one. Then there is the question of social security: maybe it’s worth a look and entrepreneurs at least for Covid-19 time to compensate for this incapacity for work?” asked the Minister.
The Latvian Employers’ Confederation (LDDK) expressed support for the idea, pointing out that a state-compensated sick leave card for entrepreneurs would be a step towards maintaining jobs and improving competitiveness from day one.
The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has also called on the Ministry of Welfare to provide that the state pays for incapacity for work sheets in full, thus reducing the possible spread of the virus and the risks of illness.
The idea of temporary compensation of sick leaves for entrepreneurs is invited to be considered by the Inter-Institutional Coordination Group.
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