300,000 To Receive Sick Leave Under Obama Executive Order

An executive order signed by President Barack Obama in Boston on Monday will give about 300,000 employees of federal contractors paid leave. Under the order, the employees would have the right to an hour of paid leave for every 30 hours they work, for a total of up to seven days a year.

This newest nod to workers comes following a previous executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against workers based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and another raising minimum wage for contractors.

Opponents of the new order say the president has overstepped his legal authority, and some groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have threatened lawsuits over Obama's executive actions.

Simón Rios of Here & Now contributor station WBUR in Boston joins host Peter O'Dowd with details.