Northern Ireland carers are calling for improved mileage subsidies which meet their unique needs.
Domiciliary care and social workers represented by the UNISON trade union staged a protest at the Ulster Hospital on Friday afternoon in a bid to highlight the issue.
They say sharp increases in fuel and maintenance costs over the last 12 months has led to a "cost of fuel crisis" among health staff working in the community.
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The union says the impact of the increased cost of fuel along with the cost of living crisis, continues to have a significant impact on social care workers across the region and is leaving members feeling "undervalued, unsupported and underpaid".
They say this is causing domiciliary care workers and other UNISON members who work in the community to reluctantly consider leaving the profession, at a time when the social care sector is already under serious pressure.
UNISON has implemented a rolling programme of action to raise awareness of the ongoing situation and a demand for action by employers and the Department of Health.
It began with Friday's demonstration by domiciliary care workers within the South Eastern Trust and will be followed by similar events over the coming weeks and months in the other Trust areas.
Workers are currently paid 56p for the first 3,500 miles and for those working in social care and using their own vehicles, often in rural areas, they say they're hitting that mileage limit very quickly.
Among those on the picket line was Pam McKenzie, who is based within the Comber, Ballygowan and Killinchy area, and has worked in the community care sector for over 30 years..
She told Belfast Live: "As a low paid worker, I can't afford the petrol to do my job. The petrol rates were set in England and are for towns but not rural communities where I work.
"We get 56p a mile for the first 3,500 miles which is reached very quickly when you're doing 50 miles a night and it doesn't cover my costs.
"I have to buy the car, insure and tax it, buy the petrol and pay for servicing and new tyres to do my job. I earn £10.40 an hour and I go out in all weathers."
Pam added: "Just this week a colleague skidded on the ice going to work on country roads that were not gritted and damaged his car very badly.
"I have had three tyres replaced on my car in the past month going down roads with potholes. Between the low pay and price of petrol, I have no choice but to demonstrate right now because I can't afford to live."
Also protesting was Samantha Foley, who has been a domiciliary care worker for 16 years and is based in Ards and North Down.
"I'm really struggling at the moment. I had a family car but had to hand it back a couple of months ago because I could no longer afford the fuel. I was spending £20 a day on diesel going out and about so I had to get a smaller car," she explained.
"Most of us here have cars on finance and if something goes wrong with the car then we have to fork out the money for it ourselves and you're still expected to go out every day in all weather conditions. We should be paid what we deserve for doing a very hard job."
In a statement, the Department of Health said it is acutely aware of the continuing impact that the increase in living costs and fuel prices is having across Northern Ireland, and recognises the particular challenges that face those who use their vehicles to deliver services as part of their day to day roles in health and social care, whether that be in the statutory or the independent sector.
A spokesperson added: "On 30 June 2022, the Department advised HSC Employers that a temporary increase in the secondary rate of mileage for Agenda for Change staff had been approved. This increased the rate paid for any miles travelled in excess of 3,500 miles, to 30 pence per mile.
"This was last reviewed in December, and the Department advised, on 21 December 2022, that this rate would be maintained for the remainder of this financial year. Increasing the secondary rate provides most assistance to those travelling the greatest distance.
"There is no set regional mileage rate for care workers employed by independent providers. The Department has no remit over the terms and conditions offered to employees by private companies. We recognise however that the independent sector continues to face significant difficulties.
"In November 2021 the former Minister of Health announced a support package of up to £23m. This investment has allowed providers to deliver enhanced rates of pay and improve other terms and conditions, which may also include increased mileage rates, at individual employers’ discretion.
"The Department has provided funding of £25m for 2022/23, for this sector, to continue to help stabilise, and to assist recruitment and retention, and the capacity of providers to deliver.
"Officials continue to engage with the sector on ongoing challenges, including the travel and other cost of living pressures facing staff. It is recognised that investing in the domiciliary care and wider social care workforce will be essential if we are to increase and improve social care provision in Northern Ireland."
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