BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A proposal to give all workers in Louisiana  paid sick days was rejected by a Senate labor committee amid opposition from business.

Bill sponsor Sen. Karen Peterson, a New Orleans Democrat, said 700,000 workers in Louisiana lose pay — and sometimes their jobs — when they call in sick.

Her bill would have allowed workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked. Sick time would have been capped at 52 hours a year.

The bill was shot down by the committee in a 3-1 vote Thursday, following heated debate.

Opponents said it would be costly and cut into businesses profit margins.

Supporters say fast food and other low-wage workers who go to work sick are a public health risk.

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Senate Bill 81: www.legis.la.gov

 

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