UNISON Cymru/Wales care lead Mark Turner claims that, since care has been outsourced to the private profit and ‘voluntary’ sector in the early 2000s, there has been a “race to the bottom for pay, terms and conditions” for care workers.

Although the Welsh Government is introducing the Real Living Wage as a minimum, UNISON is demanding much more sick pay, better holidays, travel time for home carers and paid time off to undertake training, as well as giving carers a voice in the workplace through trades unions.

“These are all important changes, but the current staffing crisis means these can’t come soon enough,” added Turner. “They have been hugely undervalued, but the pandemic has shown how much we should value the skilled, committed, professional and vital work care workers do.

“We clapped on doorsteps for months accepting that care workers should be treated as equals to health workers. Now, as a society, we have to put those kind words into action. Care workers have suffered trauma during the pandemic and they’re exhausted, some say ‘burnt out’.

Turner concluded by saying it is “understandable” that many care workers are seeking less demanding work outside of the sector for more pay.