It'll go up to 10 days by 2026.
Irish workers will be entitled to mandatory sick pay for the first time under new laws.
The cabinet's approved a bill giving employees the right to take 3 sick days by the end of the year.
The Sick Leave Bill 2022 will legislate for a statutory sick pay scheme for all employees, phased in over a four-year period.
It is estimated that only half of employees have sick leave provided for through their terms and conditions, with a gap between the public and private sectors.
Under the bill, employees will be entitled to three days of paid sick leave this year, five days in 2024, seven days in 2025 and 10 in 2026.
Employees will have to produce a medical certificate to avail of statutory sick pay and it will only cover 70% of wages, subject to a maximum daily threshold of €110.
The cost will be paid by the employer.
The scheme is being phased in to help employers manage any additional costs.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says the change is being made for a number of reasons:
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