Tasmania's casual workers need paid pandemic leave: Greens

That is according to Greens Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

He has urged Premier Peter Gutwein to ask Prime Minister Scott Morrison to include Tasmania in the paid pandemic leave scheme, currently only available in coronavirus-stricken Victoria.

"Just over 59,000 Tasmanians have no leave entitlements - the highest percentage of casual employees in the country (28.3 per cent) - making Tasmanian workers some of the most vulnerable in the country," Senator Whish -Wilson said on Thursday.

"Leave entitlements mean that when a Tasmanian employee has any symptoms or is waiting for test results, they don't fear calling in sick and can take the precaution of staying home without the worry that they can't put food on the table or that they may lose their job.

"We know that giving people everything they need in order to stay at home and stop the spread is crucial."

Senator Whish-Wilson said workplace transmissions were the main driver of the Victorian outbreak, accounting for about 80 per cent of cases.

"Allowing employees to stay at home if they need to also protects the rest of us," he said.

"At the moment, the only people that can access this payment are those who have been ordered to stay at home in Victoria.

"We shouldn't be waiting until we get to that point, but instead do everything we can to stop a second wave from happening here as well."

Comment was being sought from Mr Gutwein.

Braddon Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce said: "Premier Gutwein's management of the pandemic has been outstanding."

"I know that he is in regular contact with the Prime Minister and is representing the needs of the state as the situation evolves."

Business and unions have called for a national paid pandemic leave scheme.