Fórsa presses for childcare cost compensation
by Bernard Harbor
 
The union’s head of health, Eamonn Donnelly said there was also a case for compensation for those who had to juggle work with commitments to elderly and other relatives who were cocooning during the initial phases of the lockdown.
The union’s head of health, Eamonn Donnelly said there was also a case for compensation for those who had to juggle work with commitments to elderly and other relatives who were cocooning during the initial phases of the lockdown.

Fórsa has taken its claim for childcare cost compensation to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) after health service management refused to help with costs incurred during the first three months of the coronavirus crisis.

 

The union is seeking compensation for health workers who have incurred additional childcare costs, or who used up annual leave to look after their children.

 

The Government promised it would provide childcare support for health staff when it closed schools and crèches on 12th March, leaving essential staff with no childcare facilities.

 

But the scheme never materialised and efforts to put assistance in place were effectively abandoned pending the reopening of childcare facilities under the Government’s roadmap for reopening the economy. This isn’t due to happen until 29th June, and then only on a phased basis.

 

In the meantime, thousands of health workers continue to face additional payments and the nightmare of juggling their professional and domestic responsibilities. It has been particularly hard on single parents and the growing number of staff whose spouses are working outside the home.

 

Fórsa has led the call to for compensation for additional childcare costs for health workers, including those who were exposed to high risk during the early stages of the coronavirus crisis.

 

The union’s head of health, Eamonn Donnelly said there was also a case for compensation for

those who had to juggle work with commitments to elderly and other relatives who were cocooning during the initial phases of the lockdown.

 

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

LikeLike (2) | Facebook Twitter