Senate Democrats draft a $25,000 coronavirus hazard-pay covering essential workers

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Democrat lawmakers to push for a coronavirus relief bill that gives up to $25,000 for front liners and other essential workers.
• The bill covers all employees who work fighting the COVID-19 crisis, which mainly includes health care professionals, grocery store staff, and pharmacy workers.
• Democrats labeled the bill as ‘Heroe’s Fund,’ since it aimed to provide assistance to employees who chose to work amidst the health crisis.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer from N.Y, along with other Democrats, are recommending to give nurses,  doctors, and essential workers, hazard pay benefits of up to $25,000.

The proposal is to be included in phase four of the coronavirus economic package bill.

The supplementary pay, if passed, would mean a $13-per-hour raise for the workers, which may also include janitors, and drivers, and security staff,  who Democrats also consider as essential during the time of crisis, providing their services to keep the economy and health care industry function.

The financial help will cover the start of the health crisis toward the end of this year.

During a conference call in presenting the bill, Schumer noted that the COVID-19 outbreak has already extended to higher levels of concern, and the economy and health care system is on edge. 

The N.Y Senator also called the bill as ‘Heroes Fund’ as it was for workers who sacrifice themselves every day in fighting coronavirus to save the nation.

He also noted that the front liners, such as medical personnel, nurses, doctors, and other essential employees, are not given the convenience of working from home, as well as the privilege of social distancing.

Schumer also explained that the payment is also to be implemented retroactively from the time the worker has started working as a front liner.

The incentive can reach up to $25,000 for employees with earnings that fall under $200,000 per year, and those who make more than $200,000 shall receive $5,000.

The Heroes Fund would be given directly to qualified employers who should facilitate the premium payments to their workers immediately.

As a safety net, business owners will be obliged to report disbursement and refund the federal government of funds that were not spent.

For workers who report to firms that had a direct state, local and tribal government contracts with essential jobs, are also entitled to hazard benefits payments. 

The proposed bill is also to arrange benefits to the families, should an essential worker die because of coronavirus crisis.

Furthermore, Democrats are also pushing for a recruitment incentive of up to $15,000 to entice and retain nurses, doctors, and other medical workers, as most of these jobs require long hours of work in challenging conditions.

Democrats who co-sponsored the bill are  Senators Tom Udall (New Mexico), Patty Murray (Washington), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Robert Casey Jr. (Pennsylvania), and Gary Peters (Michigan).

The legislators intend to include the proposal in phase four of the coronavirus relief bill, that will be discussed on the floor once Congress resumes work by the week starting April 20.

Source: The Hill