Union pressure for proper pay

Public service union UNISON has urged bosses in the care sector to confirm they will pay workers their full wage if they are unable to work because of the coronavirus.

It comes as national figures reveal half of all COVID-19 deaths are now in care homes.

UNISON say it has been inundated with calls from members who are receiving no pay or statutory sick pay whilst isolating to prevent clients in their care from contracting the virus.

Now the three Lanarkshire branches of the union have joined forces and written to all care sector employers seeking pay assurances.

South Lanarkshire branch secretary, Stephen Smellie, said: “It’s a scandal frontline workers we rely on to care for our most vulnerable are being penalised financially because they take time off to protect those they care for.

“The public is in no doubt about their value and the fact they are so poorly paid.

“We can’t stand by and allow this to continue, especially when additional funding has been made available by the Scottish government.

“Workers in these situations should be paid their full wages when unable to attend work.”

The Scottish government and Scottish Trade Union Congress Fair Work statement states workers should not be financially penalised when staying away from work due to COVID.

Care providers are now being asked to confirm staff affected will be paid their normal wages and those who only received statutory sick pay get their full pay backdated.