People's Advocate notified: Is it legal not to pay the first day of sick leave for chronically ill patients?

The Federation of Cancer Patient Associations has sent an open letter requesting the Ombudsman's intervention regarding the measure that came into force on Sunday, whereby the first day of sick leave is no longer paid.

The Federation considers that its adoption was not supported by adequate reasoning and that limiting abuses of sick leave cannot be achieved through another abuse.

The letter signed by the Federation's president, Cezar Irimia, states that for an employee without chronic conditions, not being paid for the first day means an occasional loss, while for chronic patients undergoing recurrent treatment, it applies every time the treatment requires absence from work, leading to dozens of unpaid days per year.

The Federation reserves the right to seek the support of the competent European courts, as the measure may conflict with the principle of non-discrimination, the right to social protection, and the right to health.

Translated by: Radu Matei