Greens bring vote to back £15 minimum wage for social care workers
The call comes in an amendment from Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman as part of a Scottish Government debate on health.
The amendment calls on the government to recognise that issues in hospitals cannot be solved without addressing the crisis in social care, reducing health inequalities and tackling poverty.
It also urges the government to address long-term workforce planning to better support current staff, patients and those who rely on care services.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“Our hospitals are under huge pressure, but we cannot solve the crisis in our NHS without fixing the crisis in social care.
“Care workers do some of the most vital, emotionally demanding and physically demanding work in our society. Every day, they support people at their most vulnerable moments and provide the dignity, stability and compassion that everyone deserves.
“Yet too many care workers are still facing low pay, insecure contracts and impossible working conditions. That is not fair on staff, and it is not fair on the people who rely on them.
“If we want a care system that works for patients, service users and families, then we need to value the people who deliver that care. That means paying every social care worker at least £15 an hour, with annual increases in line with inflation at a minimum.
“£15 an hour cannot be seen as a ceiling, it must be the floor.”
Maggie added:
“The crisis in our hospitals is not separate from the crisis in social care. Delayed discharges, staff shortages and rising pressure on services are all connected.
“Scotland needs a care system that is free at the point of use, properly funded and built around the needs of staff and service users.
“That starts with fair pay, secure conditions and the respect care workers deserve.”
The amendment reads ‘Recognises that we cannot solve issues in hospitals without addressing the crisis in social care, reducing health inequalities and tackling poverty; believes that social care workers should be paid at least £15 an hour and calls on the Scottish Government to address long term workforce planning to support current staff and patients.’