Trade union leaders have called for an end to the ‘national scandal’ of homecare workers being paid effectively less than the minimum wage.
Unison has claimed while many care companies pay their staff the minimum wage, they still do not pay them for the time they travel between home visits, which can be up to a fifth of their working day.
The trade union says workers are effectively receiving less than the minimum wage for their time.
And confusing wage slips often mean workers cannot see how they are being paid, according to Unison.
The trade union has also called on HM Revenue and Customs to publish a report, which was commissioned by the Government a year ago, into care companies and the minimum wage.
In the past, the trade union along with other organisations has condemned the use of 15-minute care visits.
‘Homecare workers support the elderly and vulnerable across the UK, yet they continue to be paid below the minimum wage,’ said Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis.
‘The Government promised to act, but so far ministers have abjectly failed to help these low-paid workers.’
‘Homecare firms who only pay their staff for the face-to-face time they spend with their clients are guilty of law-breaking on a grand scale,’ added Mr Prentis.
‘The increasing use of 15-minute visits places untold pressure on homecare workers, yet their pay doesn’t reflect the importance of the work they do.’
