Lawmakers discuss paid sick leave bill

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(WTOC) - Washington lawmakers are considering legislation that would guarantee sick pay for workers who are out sick because of the seasonal flu or H1N1.

House Education and Labor Committee chairman George Miller said the measure would protect about 50 million workers with no paid sick leave.

Many of those employees work in low-wage jobs in food service and hospitality, where they would be exposed to others and could spread their sickness.

He says those workers shouldn't have to choose between their paychecks and the health of co-workers or customers.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro seems to agree, saying not having paid sick only hurts those who can't afford to take a day off without pay.

“I believe that paid sick days are a basic question of right and wrong," said DeLauro. "Yet unlike 145 other nations, including 19 of the 20 most economically competitive countries in the world, that is to say everyone but us, everyone but the United States does not guarantee a single paid sick day to workers.”

The bill would cover employees in businesses with 15 or more workers. Businesses that already offer at least five days paid sick leave would be exempt.