Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced on Tuesday April 14, 2020, that the government is proposing a reduced work week for non-essential members of the public service including those who work in crown corporations.

Pallister said that the money saved would be diverted to health care.

“Manitobans have every right to expect that their government will do everything it can to address and support our pandemic response and our health-care workers in the front lines,” said Pallister. “We expect that our public service will want to do the right thing to support these efforts and to make sure resources are where they are, when they are needed most.”

The premier said that the government will be meeting with all unions that represent the public sector later this afternoon to discuss the “all hands on deck” proposal.

One of the examples that was floated during the media briefing was that non-frontline public sector employees would work two days a week and receive Employment Insurance for the other three.

The premier also announced that frontline health-care workers who are required to self-isolate for 14 days due to possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace would now be compensated.

Health-care would receive paid administrative leave for the full 14-day period of asymptomatic self-isolation. Pallister said that if the worker became symptomatic during their isolation then their sick leave benefits would kick in.

“Our government recognizes front-line health-care providers are facing extraordinary challenges during this unprecedented time,” said Pallister. “This change will give workers piece of mind knowing they can take the necessary time to protect themselves, their patients, coworkers and the broader community.”

© News4.ca 2020