Union wants no delay in introducing statutory sick pay By Mike Gilmore Sick pay is set to be phased in from next year, starting with three days paid leave per annum. The long awaited announcement on statutory sick-pay has finally been made, with eight months having passed since it was first mooted. The imperative need for the measures was highlighted by the pandemic, with workplaces a hotbed of infection in the early stages of the ongoing ordeal. Speaking outside Government Buildings on Wednesday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announced proposals to introduce statutory sick pay measures from next year, starting with a three day minimum for paid leave due to an illness.