PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Dying for sick pay campaign (10 June 2020)

That this House notes the Public and Commercial Services Union national campaign ‘Dying for sick pay’ which marks the 30th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security and calls on Government to extend full occupational sick pay from day one for all outsourced workers on civil service contracts; is aware that outsourced civil service contracts are awarded with a requirement to only pay staff Statutory Sick Pay from the fourth day of sickness leading to an average 70% reduction in staffs normal pay; is concerned that this policy negatively impacts on the lowest paid working in the civil service, predominantly female BAME facilities management workforce; further notes that members of PCS including cleaners, security guards, porters and facilities management staff all of whom contribute greatly to the day to day functionality of government departments; applauds their dedication during the pandemic and notes the great risk to these workers and their families in their roles as key workers providing the first line of defence against Coronavirus; is concerned that the government intends to return to the unequal and inadequate system of SSP post lockdown despite most civil service departments adopting a policy of paying outsourced staff in fully for Covid-19 related absences; believes that all civil service employees including those directly employed by government and those on outsourced contracts deserve access to full sick pay from day one; and calls on the Government support this campaign and end inequality in sick pay.

Sponsored by:
John McDonnell (Independent)