Public workers take more sick leave as their lives are put at risk daily

I refer to your report of yesterday, Tuesday, July 7, ‘Public sector sick pay cut saves €50m’, about the cost of sick leave in the public service. 

I wish to point out that assaults and injuries at work on front line public servants are also included in these figures. Many nurses, gardaí, paramedics, prison officers and firefighters have had considerable sick leave following assaults and injuries at work.

These included being kicked, punched, stabbed, bitten and contracting contagious diseases through their work such as MRSA, Hepatitis etc. I could also include the verbal and psychological abuse that many endure.