In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio lawmakers are pushing for 'hazard pay' increases for essential workers that could be included in any future stimulus package. 

State Senator Sherrod Brown, as well as Congressman Tim Ryan, are proposing plans and asking national lawmakers to support hazard pay increases and require stronger workplace protections for essential employees.

Tim Ryan and 41 other lawmakers have urged House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to require that employers protect workers on the job while providing them with hazard pay in future COVID-19 legislation.

Lawmakers called for additional pay for health care workers, grocery workers, restaurant workers, child care providers, public sector workers (including police, fire, corrections, postal), farmworkers, utility workers, transportation workers, sanitation workers, and other hourly employees deemed essential.

When it comes to further protecting essential employees the lawmakers suggest in a letter, "The next package should include a requirement for OSHA to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard that requires employers to implement protections for these at-risk workers."

Senator Sherrod Brown is also proposing a "Heroes Fund" that will provide up to $25,000 pay increase to essential workers.

Brown said, "The Heroes Fund would help reward, retain and recruit essential workers who are on the frontlines of this pandemic."

The Heroes Fund proposal includes a premium pay increase of up to $25,000 for essential workers, equivalent to a raise of $13 per hour from the start of the public health emergency until December 31, 2020, and a $15,000 essential worker recruitment incentive to attract and secure the workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.