P.E.I. needs more job protection for workers with serious illnesses, groups say [Video]

Advocates are urging the P.E.I. government to do more to protect the jobs of people who suffer from serious illnesses and need extended periods of time off.

As of Oct. 1, employees on the Island will have the legal right to up to three days of paid sick leave a year, depending on the length of time they’ve been working for the same employer.

Some groups that advocate for people with serious or chronic illnesses say the new legislation is a good start — but say government could easily go further. 

The Canadian Cancer Society has been pushing for provinces to introduce 26 to 27 weeks of unpaid time off with job protection for people with serious illnesses. That would match the time frame of a federal employment insurance sickness benefit that provides financial assistance to those who can’t work for medical reasons.   

“We do need to see unpaid job protection made real in …