Grocery store workers, doctors, nurses, postal employees, and others still on the job during the coronavirus pandemic should get “hazard pay” of up to $25,000, Democrats said Tuesday, announcing a plan to provide the bonuses in the next economic relief package that would amount to a raise of $13 an hour for workers.
Big businesses would cover the cost of the pay raise and the federal government would foot the bill for smaller companies, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, announcing the proposal to reporters in a conference call.
“It goes to all essential workers, not just those in the medical facilities and home care workers, but also truck drivers who deliver supplies and grocery store clerks who keep food on the shelves and transit workers,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Schumer said the plan comes in response to the risks the front-line workers are taking during the coronavirus pandemic and, in particular, medical workers who are exposing themselves to those sick with the virus.
He referred to the money as a heroes fund.
“They deserve it,” Schumer said. “They are risking their lives, they are going through unusual changes in their lives.”
Schumer said he wants the hazard pay proposal to be included in a fourth economic relief package lawmakers in both parties said will be needed to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the plan proposed by Democrats, Schumer said the “largest and prosperous employers” would have to provide the $25,000 in hazard pay, while the federal government would cover the costs for smaller companies.
The bonuses would be available to workers who are on the job “from the start of the public health emergency until the end of the year,” Schumer said.
The plan would also provide $15,000 as “an essential worker recruitment incentive” for those working in the medical field, Schumer said. The federal government would cover the cost of the incentive program, he said, and would apply to state, local, and private sector medical employees.
“This is a heroes fund and they deserve it,” Schumer said.
Schumer said he believes the proposal will get “strong” bipartisan support, but no Republicans participated in the press conference. Schumer did not provide a cost estimate for the proposal.
