GMB invites Bank of England boss to work as carer

Tell low-paid workers to show ‘restraint’ after covering a minimum wage shift, says GMB boss

GMB Union has written to Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, inviting him to work as a carer for the day before he talks about “wage restraint.” 

Mr Bailey came under intense criticism for suggesting workers should not ask for big pay rises to help curb inflation. 

The Bank of England boss was paid £575,000 last year.

In the letter, GMB General Secretary Gary Smith invites Mr Bailey to spend a day shadowing low-paid care workers “upon whom ‘restraint’ has been imposed for too long.” 

“You do not appear to have called for restraint in price setting, or dividend payments,” the letter adds. 

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: 

"Andrew Bailey should spend a day shadowing the low-paid workers in the care sector upon whom ‘restraint’ has been imposed for too long.  

“These are the predominately women workers at the front line of the pandemic, who are putting their own lives at risk to care for some of the most vulnerable members of society. 

‘The majority of those workers earn pennies more than the National Minimum Wage. 

“After working a shift, I would be interested to know whether those workers should show ‘restraint’ against the mounting cost of living crisis. 

“I hope that Mr Bailey will be prepared to explain his reasoning to the people his apparent policy would affect.”