UNISON Northern Ireland has pledged to tackle the issue of under-payment of wages head on, following yesterday’s news that almost half of social care providers throughout the UK are paying their workers less than the £6.31 minimum wage rate for adults.
An investigation by HMRC found that 48% of employers had paid their employees below the minimum wage.
The HMRC warned it was “the highest level of non-compliance identified in this sector in the last five years.”
UNISON Northern Ireland’s head of bargaining and representation, Anne Speed, said such actions were illegal.
“Many employers do not count travel time as working time and that is against the law” said Ms Speed.
“UNISON will be taking up this issue directly with independent home care providers and the health trusts who contract their services.
“Not only should care workers be getting paid for travel time but they should also be earning a living wage. They should not be tied down to zero hour contracts or forced to provide 15 minute visits.
“We will also be distributing thousands of leaflets to care workers across Northern Ireland, making them aware of their rights.”
