The U.S. Dept. of Labor will revisit some facets of the Family and Medical Leave Act this month. In a letter to Senior Regulatory Officer Richard M. Brennan at the Department of Labor, Illinois Governor Blagojevich advocated for the people who have medical issues or family situations that require they take unpaid leave from work.
According to Blagojevich, special interests are lobbying the U. S. Dept. of Labor to weaken the federal and Illinois FMLA law. The governor considers this a step backwards in workers’ rights.
“We cannot forget those that work hard at their job and at home caring for their loved ones,” said Governor Blagojevich. “These are people that pull double shifts all year long, but sometimes situations arise that take them away from work. It is for the hard working people of our state and this country that we must keep the Family and Medical Leave Act strong.”
At the end of last year, the Department of Labor requested information regarding the FMLA, indicating that they were considering changes. After the Department of Labor ended their comment period on Friday, February 16, they will hold public meetings to review the law. In response, special interests representing employers have been lobbying the administration to weaken the FMLA.
Governor Blagojevich urged the Department of Labor to keep the existing worker protections intact.
The current Illinois FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for a total of 12 workweeks during any 12-month period for reasons such as pregnancy and care of a newborn, care for an family member with a serious health condition, or a person’s own serious medical condition. The law covers only eligible employers, but extends to most workers in the state. Gov. Blagojevich is opposing efforts by special interests that are attempting to make it even more difficult for workers to take unpaid leave by tightening the restrictions for its use.
Protecting workers’ rights is a top priority for Gov. Blagojevich, who has through executive or legislative action, made Illinois one of the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to promoting the welfare of low-income workers. Last year Governor Blagojevich signed a law increasing the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour in July 2007 and to $8.25 an hour by 2010.
