ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SOCIAL CARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT ASSURANCES NEEDED THAT IT WILL BENEFIT THE WORKFORCE
Commenting today (25th November) on the announcement by the Health Minister Robin Swann MLA that he is to offer up to £23 million in funding for domiciliary care and the wider social care sector to improve rates of pay,
UNISON Northern Ireland Head of Bargaining and Representation Anne Speed said:
‘‘This is a step in the right direction by the Minister but we require urgent engagement via the Social Care Fair Work Forum with him, his officials and employers to gain assurances that this extra funding will genuinely benefit the workforce.
We need assurances that employers will be required to increase rates of pay and how this will be monitored and enforced across the sector.
These are some of the lowest paid workers in our society. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated once again how vital these workers are, but has also highlighted how they continue to be exploited, undervalued and underpaid. They must be properly valued and recognised.
UNISON has long been calling for better pay and terms and conditions for workers across the care sector, which is critical to attracting and retaining the workforce. There is a longstanding need to improve these services as shown by the current pressures in hospitals due to the difficulties in discharging patients.
We will not have an effective health and social are system without a well-paid, highly trained and stable social care workforce.’’