While we are all seemingly on lockdown or doing our best to stay at home as often as possible, there are people who must go out and work during this pandemic. Sure, it’s great that they are still able to work but also scary for them and their families as they could potentially bring something home without being aware.
For weeks now, if not longer many have been concerned about the fact that these people are not getting hazard pay. These essential workers need more reward for the risks they’re facing, don’t they? Well, a COVID-19 ‘Heroes Fund’ might give them a little extra boost if it passes. This plan according to Democrats.Senate.gov would ‘reward, retain, and recruit essential workers.’
According to this new plan, those who are essential frontline workers would get a ‘$25,000 pandemic premium pay increase.’ This said to be the equivalent to a raise of an additional $13 per hour from the beginning of the ‘public health emergency until December 31st, 2020.’ This plan would also offer a ‘$15,000 recruitment incentive for health and home care workers and first responders to attract and secure the workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.’
This according to The Hill would be part of phase four of the coronavirus relief bill. As this pandemic continues to grow, these workers are needed more than ever and perhaps this would be something that would help make the things they’re doing more worth it. This would as far as essential workers cover everyone from doctors and nurses to grocery store workers and more.
The Hill wrote as follows on this topic:
The benefit would be capped at $25,000 for workers earning less than $200,000 per year and at $5,000 for those earning more than $200,000.
The Heroes Fund would provide funding directly to eligible employers so they could then distribute the premium payments.
Employers would be required to track payments and return unspent funds to the federal government.
Workers for entities that contract directly with state, local and tribal governments and deemed essential would also be eligible for hazard benefits.
The proposal would provide benefits to the families of essential workers who have died as a result of COVID-19.
Schumer talked about one New York doctor who has to get changed in his garage after each workday, put his clothes in a trash bag to be disinfected and take a shower before saying hello to his family.
Democrats are also proposing an essential worker recruitment incentive payment of $15,000 to attract and keep doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, many of whom have had to work long hours in tough conditions, on the job.
What do you think about this idea? Do you think these benefits sound fair? While this has not yet passed, we will know more on the matter soon.