More than 4 in 10 key workers in the North West – over 450,000 people – are paid 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 Jay McKenna 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 the sick and vulnerable, getting us to work, keeping our shelves stocked and our vital services running.
“Now it’s time for ministers to give key workers a proper thank you. And that means getting money into their pockets now.
“The government must give all key workers the pay, conditions and respect they deserve. That’s how to really thank the people who got us through this crisis.”
- 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 |
27,743,698 |
9,361,640 |
34 |
Key workers |
9,839,175 |
3,742,257 |
38 |
Non-key workers |
17,904,523 |
5,619,383 |
31 |
Gender |
||||||
|
All employees |
Number of employees paid below £10 per hour |
Key workers |
Number of key workers paid below £10 |
% of key workers paid below £10 |
Key workers as % of all employees |
Male |
13,935,349 |
3,823,471 |
3,572,654 |
1,155,611 |
32 |
26 |
Female |
13,808,349 |
5,538,169 |
6,266,521 |
2,586,646 |
41 |
45 |
Total |
27,743,698 |
9,361,640 |
9,839,175 |
3,742,257 |
38 |
35 |
Regions |
||||||
|
All employees |
Number of employees earning less than £10 per hour |
Key workers |
Number of key workers paid below £10 |
% of key workers paid below £10 |
Key workers as % of all employees |
North East |
1,053,188 |
472,463 |
386,595 |
182,050 |
47 |
37 |
North West |
3,068,221 |
1,140,943 |
1,145,114 |
465,995 |
41 |
37 |
Yorkshire and Humberside |
2,196,641 |
875,896 |
834,481 |
372,782 |
45 |
38 |
East Midlands |
2,045,904 |
792,088 |
749,432 |
302,969 |
40 |
37 |
West Midlands |
2,434,228 |
967,515 |
871,257 |
363,878 |
42 |
36 |
East of England |
2,619,757 |
838,026 |
892,433 |
312,245 |
35 |
34 |
London |
3,807,241 |
823,063 |
1,133,458 |
329,437 |
29 |
30 |
South East |
3,867,041 |
1,135,727 |
1,284,188 |
498,548 |
39 |
33 |
South West |
2,327,124 |
852,448 |
868,782 |
329,693 |
38 |
37 |
Wales |
1,270,830 |
456,354 |
510,506 |
187,281 |
37 |
40 |
Scotland |
2,324,819 |
718,269 |
856,468 |
294,033 |
34 |
37 |
Northern Ireland |
728,704 |
288,848 |
306,461 |
103,346 |
34 |
42 |
Total |
27,743,698 |
9,361,640 |
9,839,175 |
3,742,257 |
38 |
35 |
- 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.
Contacts:
Jay McKenna
jmckenna@tuc.org.uk
07788 414 578
Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin
nnimhaoileoin@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1288
07771 713574
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
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