Bernie Sanders: New Walmart paid leave policy not 'good enough' | TheHill - The Hill

Sen. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) Sanders Ocasio-Cortez holds call with UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Progressives pulling a bait-and-switch with 'Medicare for All' Taxing the rich becomes hot topic of debate for 2020 hopefuls MORE (I-Vt.) says Walmart's new paid leave sick policy is not "enough," as he keeps pressure on the retailer over its employment practices.

"Walmart’s decision to provide 48 hours of paid sick leave to some of its employees is a small step forward, but not nearly good enough," the senator said in a statement on Monday.

"Walmart, which is owned by the wealthiest family in America, is not a poor company. If Walmart can afford $20 billion for stock buybacks to enrich wealthy shareholders, it can afford to raise the pay of all its workers to a living wage. Walmart can and must pay all of its workers at least $15 an hour with good benefits."

Walmart announced Friday that they would be allowing their employees to earn up to 48 hours of paid time-off when they are sick or otherwise need to miss work.

“Our associates told us they wanted to be rewarded for their dedication, and we couldn’t agree more,” said Drew Holler, vice president of associate experience, said in the company's statement.

Walmart did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment on Sanders's statement.

Walmart has been a frequent target of Sanders, with the progressive lawmaker pushing a bill last year aimed directly at the company called the Stop WALMART Act.

Introduced by Sanders and Rep. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) Khanna ‘Medicare for all’ opens up Dem divide Overnight Defense — Presented by Raytheon — Trump blasts intel officials as 'passive and naive' | Lawmakers reintroduce Yemen war powers resolution | Dems push Pentagon to redo climate report | VA proposes new rules for private health care Lawmakers renew fight with Trump over Saudi Arabia, Yemen MORE (D-Calif.) the legislation would require a $15 dollar minimum wage, allow up to 7 days of sick leave, and limit the possible pay for Walmart CEO and other top staff in relation to those who are paid the least.

In September, Sanders introduced legislation targeting Amazon that would require large companies to pay a tax on the government benefits its workers receive and urged them to adopt a $15 wage.

Shortly after, Amazon raised their wages to $15 per hour.

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