GMB blasts Scots carer fee as 'sex discrimination' in female-dominated sector
dailyrecord.co.ukScotland's army of local authority carers are the victims of sex discrimination, according to trade union GMB. To work in the sector, carers need to pay Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration fees, which cost upwards of £35 a year, but work costs are usually already paid for in other, male-dominated sectors.
In a letter sent to Cosla, Keir Greenaway, GMB senior organiser for public services, said: “For employees who are in local authority employment who are required to hold a ‘special driving licence’ i.e.
an HGC, LGV, PCV or any other special driving licence, the costs of obtaining this licence are paid for by the employer. “These roles are predominantly filled by men.
In contrast, SSSC registration costs are not covered. Registration is a requirement for a workforce, predominantly made up of women.“Local authorities have provided no legitimate explanation as to why this disparity exists.”Greenaway added that while he accepted there is currently a working group on professional fees and that the payment of SSSC fees was part of the 2022 wage claim, he believes “urgent action is required”.He said: “This week, inflation in the UK has reached a 40-year high.
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