TUC – compulsory vaccinations for care staff is “ill-thought through”

Commenting on today’s (Wednesday) announcement of compulsory vaccinations for care staff, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Care workers have had a raw deal during this pandemic.

“While they've risked their lives to care for our loved ones, they've been rewarded with inadequate PPE, ongoing poverty pay, and no action on zero-hours contracts in the care sector.

“Today’s ill-thought through plans will be a further blow to care workers’ morale.

“We all want to get as many care workers vaccinated as possible. But forcing workers to get the jab will harm trust and employee relations. And it may be discriminatory, leaving employers open to legal challenge.

“Ministers should instead strongly encourage every care worker to get vaccinated – and make it as easy as possible.

“That means giving care workers paid time off for the appointments and taking away any financial worries by guaranteeing decent sick pay for any recovery time afterwards.”