Scottish Government plans to create a National Care Service have suffered a major set-back after a union representing thousands of care staff withdrew its support.
Unite said it feared that 75,000 workers currently employed by local authorities across the country could be transferred into "unspecified, unaccountable ministerial quangos" as a result of the reforms.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said SNP ministers must listen to the concerns of the Unite workers who would be responsible for implementing the new care service.
Care services in Scotland are currently provided by both private firms and local authorities, with councils largely responsible for regulating the sector.
But following criticism of care home performance during the coronavirus pandemic SNP ministers want to centralise the system to ensure consistent standards across the country.
MSPs at Holyrood are currently scrutinising the National Care Service Bill which sets up the framework on which the new service will be built.
But Unite has now decided to withdraw for any further involvement in the co-design of the care service as outlined in the Bill.
The union's Scottish executive committee said that despite months of discussions with the Scottish Government it had not received sufficient reassurances.
A motion approved by the committee, first reported in the Herald, said: "Contrary to the Scottish Government’s initial commitments to create an NHS-style National Care Service, the only firm proposal put to us has been the transfer of at least 75,000 employees from the Local Government Sector into unspecified, unaccountable ministerial quangos.
"This leaves Unite’s Scottish executive with no alternative but to withdraw from any forthcoming involvement in the co-design of this alleged National Care Service.
"Unless and until Unite has a cast iron guarantee that all public service employees who work in social care, will continue to deliver social care within a democratic publicly owned care sector - and Unite receives a firm commitment for meaningful discussions on our other substantive points - Unite will no longer engage in the current redesign process and has decided to withdraw from it until our basic requirements are met."
Baillie said: "SNP ministers must listen to the concerns of the Unite workers who would be responsible for implementing these reforms.
"Scotland’s care services are crying out for change – but these unpopular, unworkable and uncosted plans aren’t what we need.
"The SNP are so determined to pass this framework legislation that they are willing to dismiss the deep concerns about it coming from unions, experts, and even from within their own party.
"Social care in Scotland is on its knees – we need real support for the sector and a fair deal for its workers.
"We cannot go ahead with plans that have not been thought through and are plagued by a litany of glaring problems – the SNP must listen to these concerns, pause this bill and take time to get it right."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "A new National Care Service could not exist without the dedication and commitment of those who deliver care and support services, and a key objective for the new body will be supporting and valuing our unique workforce.
"Local delivery will be vitally important. While Ministers will have powers on staff transfer, there are no plans for the wholesale transfer of staff. We recognise the crucial importance in allowing care boards to make staffing decisions based on their own needs and circumstances, and the need of the communities in which they operate.
"If there are transfers, we will consult with trade unions to try to reach a position avoiding any detriment to staff, including in relation to pensions.
"The establishment of a National Care Service will be the most ambitious reform of public services since devolution. Change of this scale is necessary to deliver the consistency and quality of care and support across Scotland that people deserve and help make it a fairer and more equal place to live."
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