MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – The Connecticut Working Families and the Everybody Benefits Coalition spoke out in favor of a state paid family and medical leave program today.

The groups visited Arciuolo’s Shoe Store in Milford to get their message out. Connecticut Working Families Executive Director Lindsay Farrell says “We need a program to guarantee some financial security for workers facing already stressful times.” Workers of the store already receive such benefits. The owner, Matt Arciuolo, says “just because someone is unfortunate enough to be injured on the job or fall ill, doesn’t mean that they should be cast aside when they need help the most.”

There is a bill presently before the General Assembly that would establish a paid family and medical leave compensation program. It would be funded by a percentage being taken from an employee’s weekly earnings and would offer up to twelve work weeks of compensation a year.