NSW Labor has blasted the state government's decision to reinstate parking fees for hospital workers, while they continue to put themselves at risk during the pandemic.
Health spokesman Ryan Park told reporters the move would slug the "heroes" of the pandemic with up to $1000 in fees or force them to find alternate travel means.
"This is an appalling decision made when ... we're a long way from being through the pandemic," Mr Park said.
"They've committed to a decision that is going to attack frontline health workers, many of which are some of the lowest paid workers in the community, and all of which have... gone to work when the rest of us were told to stay at home."
NSW Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said it would impact shift workers' ability to get to and from work safely.
"We're now seeing that public transport still requires masks," he said.
"We're still seeing the social distancing."
"People couldn't get on trains if they wanted to."
Many of those affected are shift workers commuting at night or in the early hours of the morning, Mr Park added.
"Car parking at the hospital is there also as a security, because it's close to the site."
The move will line the pockets of the big car park owners and operators, while stripping low income earners, Mr Hayes said.
"For someone earning fifty to sixty thousand dollars a year, ripping more than a thousand dollars from their income is a major hit."
"It's the difference between paying for their child's school excursions or affording a modest holiday at a caravan park."
"This is a sick government doing sick things to health workers."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian told 2GB while she was mindful of the cost of parking on healthcare workers, the measure was only ever designed to be temporary.
Fees were waived last year to assist frontline health workers during the pandemic.
