Source: Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA, Philip McGuigan has said Health and Social Care workers’ ‘value and appreciation’ must be matched by pay and work conditions.
The Health Committee Chair was speaking after attending a Living Wage NI event today which discussed how a living wage could be introduced in the north’s social care sector.
“The real living wage must be the bare minimum for all workers and Sinn Féin is committed to seeing this delivered across the island,” the North Antrim MLA said.
“This can be seen in Finance Minister John O’Dowd making the Civil Service a Living Wage employer as part of the latest pay deal, while former Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, ensured that the living wage was a requirement for firms attaining government contracts.
“It was enlightening to attend the Living Wage NI event and discuss how a fair wage is not only crucial in recognizing the value of health and care workers but also to attracting more people to the sector.”
Mr. McGuigan said he wanted to see the Health Minister’s commitment to end minimum wages for care workers and make the care sector a Living Wage Sector be progressed urgently.
“A real living wage, and career progression opportunities can only help bring more people into the care profession and encourage those currently employed to stay – benefiting our care workers and improving our health service and importantly patient outcomes.
“Paying the real Living Wage to our care workers is not just good for those workers, but for our economy, our health service and for society as a whole.”