Dozens of Mainers marched in Portland Monday to rally for a proposed ordinance that would mandate all employers to provide paid sick days to employees.

“People who work in the service industry in Portland, who work as direct care providers, are all people who are disproportionately impacted in industries that don’t have earned paid sick days,” said Drew Joy, a representative of the Southern Maine Workers’ Center.

Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling has proposed an ordinance that would require employers to offer workers paid sick leave.

He says last Labor Day, his organization and others formed a coalition to fight for earned paid sick days.

“It would allowed all workers in Portland to earn one hour of paid time off for every 30 hours they work. They can use it to take care of themselves, or a loved one when they’re sick, injured, or need to see a doctor,” he said.

Some Portland workers say they’re in favor of the ordinance.

“I’ve definitely had to go to work sick because I was afraid of losing pay, and couldn’t afford it,” said Bhumika Simon, an employee of a Portland business.

Read the entire story featuring grantee Southern Maine Workers' Center.