A Plaid Cymru MS has raised the plight of social care workers being forced onto lesser terms and conditions by a Labour-controlled local authority.
Peredur Owen Griffiths MS used First Minister’s Questions to highlight the devastating cuts that Caerffili County Borough Council are making to day centres for disabled adults.
Last week Peredur questioned the First Minister over the impact this is having on disabled adults and their families, with some left with no provision. This week, Peredur spoke about the impact the changes are having on day centre workers; some of whom have been redeployed and threatened with redundancy unless they accept lesser terms and conditions.
During FMQs, Peredur said: “As far as Plaid Cymru is concerned, social care is highly skilled work, and should be treated as such in terms of pay and conditions. It is unfair and unjust that social care workers are not given the respect that they deserve.
“You may remember, last week, I raised the changes to day-care provision for disabled adults in Caerffili county borough, from the perspective of the families they affect. We also need to remember that there is a dedicated team of workers that has also been affected by the Labour council's plans.
“As one union official said in a meeting yesterday, 'These front-line workers went above and beyond the call of duty to work throughout the COVID pandemic, and are now being thanked with redeployment and the threat of being made redundant if they don't accept lesser terms and conditions'.
“First Minister, how can we expect people to be attracted to the social care sector, and, equally as importantly, how are people with experience expected to remain in the sector, where they are being treated so poorly?”
In response, Mark Drakeford said: “Well, Llywydd, I am in a position to respond to the general point that the Member makes. As I tried to explain to him gently last week, questions for Caerffili County Borough Council are best placed to Caerphilly County Borough Council.”
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