North's NHS workers lowest paid in Ireland and Britian

Health and social care workers in the North are paid less than their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland and Britain, according to Maeve O'Neill (People Before Profit).

Ms O'Neill, who is herself a healthcare worker, said: "NHS workers in England, Scotland and Wales, once again earn more than their counterparts in Northern Ireland. Health and social care workers in the Republic of Ireland already get paid significantly more, leaving workers in the North the lowest paid on these islands.

"Pay parity is the most basic demand we should expect, but we actually need and deserve a cost of living pay increase to pay the bills and attract and keep workers in the health and social care service here.

"Workers are being punished for the political failures of Stormont. Our NHS is one of the most valued public services we have, and in order for it to survive, we must looks after the workforce, which begins with paying them properly. It is unacceptable that once again, we are the lowest paid healthcare workers on these islands. 

"Workers will not stand by whilst the pay increase we deserve is being held as political leverage. Unions are organising to strike back against this pay injustice."