GMB reveals more than a quarter of North West care workers stuck on zero hours contracts

More than a quarter of carers in the North West are stuck in precarious, zero hours contracts, shocking figures revealed by GMB, the union for care workers, show.

Analysis of industry data shows that an estimated 17,204 out of 41,453 care workers in the region are trapped in insecure work – more than 29%.

These figures compare to a national average of workers on zero hours’ contracts across all occupations of just 2.8%.

The disturbing figures come after GMB analysis showed that suicide rates among care workers are almost twice the national average.

Meanwhile 900 carers are thought to be leaving the profession every day.

MPs recently slammed the care industry on the grounds that 'non-payment of the national minimum wage is widespread' and found that up to 220,000 care workers are paid less than the national minimum wage.

Paul McCarthy, GMB Regional Secretary, said: “GMB’s care worker members do an incredibly difficult job - one they love and one that is vital for maintaining the fabric of our society and giving people dignity in old age.

“The figures are horrifying, but what lies under those figures are real lives.

“The real lives of the North West’s frontline public servants and the people they look after - our mums, dads and grandparents.

"It's a sorry state of affairs when the people who care for our nearest and dearest are among the lowest paid members of the workforce, labouring with poor terms, conditions and little job security.

“It’s little wonder carers are leaving the profession in droves, but it doesn't have to be that way.

“Paying care workers properly, giving them proper contracts and making sure they are treated like proper professionals would be a decent starting point.

“Our social care system is in crisis, one of the first things we can do to tackle the problem is invest in the health and well-being of our carers.

“With our ageing population – this problem isn’t going away.”