CARE workers have issued a public complaint to ministers over the introduction of the Foundation Living Wage, while the fight for an increased pay-rise for health staff in Wales continues.

Care workers are still waiting for the introduction of the Foundation Living Wage, promised by Welsh Labour at May’s Senedd elections, 193 days ago with Unison saying earnings in the care sector are “scandalously low and leave the mainly female care workforce struggling to survive.”

Welsh Labour’s manifesto commitment for the Senedd elections promised the Foundation Living Wage would be paid to all care workers.

That stood at £9.50 per hour and has been uprated this week to £9.90 per hour.

Unison says the higher rate of pay is urgently needed to address the thousands of vacancies in the sector.

Mark Turner, Unison lead officer for social care said: “Care workers provide a vital service and it’s a disgrace the wages paid leave many in poverty.

“Many care workers rallied to Labour’s Foundation Living Wage commitment at the May elections, but more than six months later they’ve seen no progress.

“This isn’t good enough and they’re fed up with waiting.

“Welsh government could now transform the lives of thousands of mostly female care workers and their families by making sure all are paid the Foundation Living Wage as a minimum.

“Boosting pay would help tackle the recruitment crisis in care. In turn, that would alleviate pressures on the over-stretched NHS by ensuring vulnerable people who don’t need emergency care are kept out of hospital.”

Meanwhile Unison, and fellow union GMB, are balloting members on a fresh pay-rise offer for Welsh NHS staff after member rejected a three per cent pay offer.

The new offer remains at three per cent, but with a one-off consolidated payment as well as concessions on holiday leave.

If the new offer is rejected by members, both unions warned that it could trigger a strike ballot.

Dawn Ward, chair of Unison Cymru Wales’ Health Committee, said: “The pay offer from Welsh government makes no difference to healthcare workers’ standard of living and a below inflation pay rise is insulting.

“It’s time Welsh government significantly improved the pay offer for NHS staff. Treat healthcare workers with dignity we deserve.”

Paul Gage, GMB Regional Organiser said: “Let’s be clear, this deal isn’t everything we’ve asked for.

“But the fact the Welsh Government has negotiated on pay is a big step forward.

“The campaign isn’t over even if members accept this deal.

“We will fight, fight and fight again so that members get back every penny in the next decade they lost during the last.”