News

UNICARE affiliate SIPTU is  taking part in the tripartite meeting with unions, employers and Government representatives on “Improving Employment and Working Conditions in Health Services” at the International Labor Organisation (ILO) headquarters in Geneva

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said it is vital that health care workers’ in Ireland have their voices heard on the international stage, “The care sector is the key for the health and well-being of any decent society. It also provides the possibility to generate decent jobs in Ireland and across the world.

With up to 40 million new health jobs required by 2030 to meet changes in global demographics we need more investment for better working conditions and better planning for the entire sector now.

Care has the potential to provide for decent lives for workers and communities but only if there is proper investment.

Speaking at the workers group meeting, SIPTU National Executive member, Broc Delaney emphasised the serious challenges faced by homecare workers. He also stressed the need for additional education supports and state registration for health care assistants. “Irish home care workers are exposed to precarious working conditions in different parts of the care sector including zero-hours contracts, expanding working hours, and unpaid travel time.