The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of reinstating COVID-19 leave disaster payments for essential workers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made the decision to reinstate the $750 COVID-19 leave disaster payment in a meeting with the National Cabinet, following calls from ANMF and its members to re-introduce this financial support for vulnerable essential workers.

The payment allows most vulnerable workers, without leave entitlements, to isolate is they contract COVID-19 or need to provide care to others who have it.

ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said: “We commend the Prime Minister Albanese and the Health Minister Mark Butler for listening and acting on our concerns. This is really a sensible decision which will allow casual workers to receive a payment to stay home and recover from COVID – and not spread the virus through the rest of the community if they are forced to go out to work.

“We are now facing a winter wave of COVID infections, which is already seen a worrying spike in the rate of hospitalisations. And it’s therefore crucial that our Federal, State and Territory Government work with us to assist our depleted health and aged care workforce – which has been crushed by the impacts of the pandemic.

“Nurses, midwives and care workers need to be supported so they can continue to provide quality healthcare for all Australians when they need it.”

ANMF is Australia’s largest union for midwives and nurses, supporting over 31,000 members.