In honor of Labor Day, President Barack Obama signed an executive order giving 300,000 federal workers seven days of paid sick leave each year.

The president announced his executive order at the annual Greater Boston Labor Council breakfast in Boston which was sponsored by the AFL-CIO. Under the new order, workers on federal contracts would be eligible for paid leave if they, themselves, are sick or if they need to care for a sick relative. The workers also will earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked starting in 2017, reports NBC News. Meanwhile, contractors can offer more paid sick days at their own discretion.

"Right now, you have parents who have to choose between losing income or staying home with a sick child," Obama told a crowd of 765 people, which included many labor officials at the pro-union event, reports The Washington Post.

During his speech, the president pointed out that the U.S. is one of just a few countries that do not offer paid leave. Obama also took a jab at Republican presidential candidates for pushing what he said were anti-union policies and their "constant attack on working Americans."

Republicans think "just wait, look up in sky, and see prosperity come raining down on us on top of whatever high-rise is in New York City," he said. "That's not how the economy works."

Obama added that Republicans who claim to be dedicated to fighting for middle class Americans must prove themselves and show that they know how "to walk the walk."

"The values that built the middle class are working people's values," Obama said.

In addition to the order, Obama called on Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which would mandate businesses with over 14 employees to also offer their staff seven days of paid sick leave.