Many carers just can’t afford to take time off if all they get is £95 a week Statutory Sick Pay says GMB Union
GMB union welcomes today’s announcement by Welsh Health Minister Vaughn Gethin that all care workers in Wales will be entitled to full pay whilst off sick, or self-isolating, due to coronavirus.
Until now most care workers were forced to survive on Statutory Sick Pay – just £95 a week – if they took time off sick, or were forced by trace, track and protect to self-isolate.
While the changes initially only apply to covid-19 related absence, GMB and the Welsh Government will be working to make this a long-term uplift to social care workers terms and conditions.
GMB has long campaigned for full sick pay for the social care workforce.
Thousands have signed GMB’s petition calling for full sick pay for our social care workers since it was launched last week.
Now the union urges Westminster to follow the example set by the Welsh Parliament.
Kelly Andrews, GMB Social Care Lead, said:
“It’s is only right the social care workforce should receive full pay – rather than the completely inadequate statutory sick pay - when they are unable to attend work.
“Many carers are part time, low paid and just can’t afford to take time off if all they get is £95 a week SSP.
“That means care workers are faced with the terrible choice between coming into work when they should be isolating - putting residents and colleagues at risk – or not being able to keep a roof over their families’ heads.
"It’s a deadly and completely unnecessary situation for them to be put in.
"We look forward to working with the Welsh Government and employers to make this a reality as soon as possible.
“Meanwhile Westminster must learn from Wales and put this policy in place across England.”
