Thousands of health service staff are living below the poverty line, with almost half unable to afford at least three basic everyday necessities, a UNISON survey has found.
The study of workers with jobs in support, administration and nursing found that in 48 per cent of cases, their wages did not stretch to being able to buy items including books, a warm winter coat and new shoes.
Researchers found 80 per cent had some difficulty paying household bills, while 40 per cent could not manage to save £20 a month and one in ten had a second job.
Matt McLaughlin, regional organiser for UNISON, said the findings were a "serious wake-up call."
He said: "UNISON's not surprised that our members' standard of living has been affected by year on year of below-inflation pay rises.
"But we're as surprised as anyone that such a significant number of people are in work and in poverty.
"There is clear evidence of a direct link between poverty and ill-health and in particular child poverty and child ill-health."
Read the full article in today's Herald http://bit.ly/1mdsG5S
Get the full report at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/healthcare/UnisonFinalReportStandardsofLiving.pdf
UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
This doesn't really surprise me. I'm a care worker and although I work full-time hours, I receive £13,000 a year. As a consequence, I'm in debt counselling - all because I can't actually afford to live. Care work is one of the most ignored services - care workers are stressed, underpaid, undervalued and mostly ignored unless there's a case of abuse to answer. Middle management are in the main useless and ignorant and concerned only with the next Care Commission report. The industry needs a complete overhaul with a fair salary for the workers in place, training and opportunities to progress being given. Where is the support for us?
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