The NASUWT and
the Freelancer & Contractor
Services
Association (FCSA) have
written to the Government to press for clarification on the issue
of supply teachers employed through umbrella organisations and a
serious omission in the Job Retention Scheme which is having a
detrimental impact on some supply teachers, who are now unable to
work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The joint letter calls upon the Government to urgently act
to address the way the Job Retention Scheme is constructed so
that hard working and dedicated supply teachers can be furloughed
and access 80% of their wage as opposed to 80% of the National
Minimum Wage (NMW).
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT –
The Teachers’ Union, said:
“The fact that our two organisations have come together on
this issue shows the critical importance of ensuring that supply
teachers who are unable to access work are treated fairly and
equitably, and receive the fullest amount of financial support
available from the government at this critical time.”
Julia Kermode, Chief Executive of the
FCSA, said:
“Umbrella employers represented by the FCSA stand ready to
support temporary workers, and want to calculate furlough pay
based on average taxable earnings; however they are currently
unable to do, a situation that
the Government must address as a
matter of urgency.”
