There are almost 330,000 (329, 693) key workers across the South West earning less than £10 an hour, according to new TUC analysis published today (Friday).
Trade unionists around the country are marking May Day – also known as International Workers’ Day – with an online #ThankAWorker action, expressing gratitude to key workers who have made a difference to them during lockdown.
But the TUC believes that, as well as thanking workers, ministers must do more to improve their pay and conditions.
Underpaid and insecure
New TUC analysis, published today, reveals that nationally:
Many key workers are also trapped in insecure work, without guaranteed hours and often missing out on basic rights like sick pay.
For example, 1 in 4 workers in adult social care – one of the sectors hit hardest by the virus – are on zero-hours contracts, which mean their hours of work and pay packets can vary significantly.
Recognising key workers’ contribution
In recognition of the contribution of key workers during this period, the TUC is calling on government to:
TUC Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said:
“Everyone who’s kept Britain going through this pandemic deserves a pay rise.
“Frontline workers are putting their own health on the line to look after the rest of us. They’re caring for our sick and vulnerable, getting us to work, keeping our shelves stocked and our vital services running.
“It’s time our key workers got a proper thank you. This means getting money into their pockets now.
“If ministers truly want to thank the people who got us through this crisis, they should give key workers the pay rise they deserve.
“We owe so much to them – now more than ever. The least the government should do is give them proper pay and better conditions.”
- Details of the TUC’s #ThankAWorker social action are available here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/MayDay2020
- Estimates of key worker earnings are based on the government’s list of key occupations and data from the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2019). The TUC’s analysis suggests there are up to 9.8 million key workers, and that 3.7 million are paid below £10 per hour. This is based on linking four-digit occupation codes to government guidance, which is open to interpretation.
Employees |
Number of employees earning less than £10 per hour |
% of employees earning less than £10 per hour |
|
All (UK) |
27,743,698 |
9,361,640 |
34 |
Key workers (UK) |
9,839,175 |
3,742,257 |
38 |
Non-key workers (UK) |
17,904,523 |
5,619,383 |
31 |
All Employees |
No. of employees earning less than £10 ph |
Number of key workers |
Number of key workers earning under £10 ph |
% of key workers paid below £10 |
|
South West |
2,327,124 |
852,448 |
868,782 |
329, 693 |
38 |
- The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set, published by Skills for Care, shows that 24 per cent of workers in adult social care sector are employed on zero-hours contracts: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/adult-social-care-workforce-data/Workforce-intelligence/publications/national-information/The-state-of-the-adult-social-care-sector-and-workforce-in-England.aspx
- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
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