McGrath: we must pay our essential care workersxa0properly.xa0
SDLP Health Committee Member, South Down MLA Colin McGrath has welcomed a move by the Scottish Government to award a pay rise to all adult social care workers and said that it is time for Northern Ireland to follow suit.xa0
Colin McGrath said:xa0“I welcome this progressive move by colleagues in the Scottish Government, who have stepped up and awarded a pay rise to all adult social care workers, ensuring they are paid above a minimum to a living wage.
“It isxa0nowxa0time for Northern Ireland to follow suit and award axa0much-deservedxa0pay rise to ourxa0domiciliaryxa0care workers, many of who are paid minimum wage, despite performing an essential service and caring for our loved ones.
“Gesturesxa0suchxa0asxa0badges and clapping arexa0veryxa0welcome, butxa0ultimatelyxa0to show these workers how muchxa0we value them, we must pay them properly.xa0They are working in the most challenging of circumstances and deserve to receive a wage that reflects the importance of their work.
“I will be writing to the Minister for Health, urging that he and his Executive colleagues consider a wage increase for these vital workers,” said Colin McGrath. xa0
