Thousands of care workers underpaid

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AppId is over the quota
Some 10% of care workers earn less than the statutory minimum

As the new levels for the national minimum wage are introduced, Panorama discovers that many British workers are still being paid much less than the law states and finds the problem particularly acute in the care work sector.

"I work all these hours and people just won't pay me," said Susan.

Susan (not her real name) is one of more than two million people employed in the care industry in the UK.

She wanted to remain anonymous for fear of losing her job.

It is tough work, both physically and mentally, delivering care services such as bathing, cooking and lifting in the home for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. It is also poorly paid.

Susan is the sort of worker that the national minimum wage was introduced to protect in April 1999.

But research by academics at King's College London seen by BBC Panorama suggests that somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 care workers over the age of 21 may be earning less than the statutory minimum, now £6.08 an hour for adults.

Earning less

The figure is at least five times higher than government figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which showed that 27,000 workers in the social care sector over the age of 16 were earning less than the minimum wage.

The research, conducted by Dr Shereen Hussein, a social care workforce expert at the university suggests that about 9% of the care work force in England is paid under the national minimum wage.

"If we assume the same thing happens across the UK as a whole, you are talking about 150,000 to 200,000 care workers.

"And even those who are paid just above minimum wage, it is very near the minimum wage," Dr Hussein estimated.

Panorama has been investigating how many employers in the UK exploit loopholes or bend the rules to avoid paying their workers the minimum and discovered abuse is particularly rife in the care work sector.

Campaigners have demanded the minimum wage rise for several years

Susan said stretching the hours worked was common practice. She is paid £6.50 an hour but is not paid for her travelling time between patient visits.

When her travel time is factored in her pay equates to about £4.25 an hour.

In a previous job, she cared 22 hours a day for a patient with Alzheimer's disease.

Her hourly rate was £6.16 but she was not paid for the 10-hour sleepover part of the shift - even though she was often disturbed by the patient during the night - leaving her with an average hourly rate of £3.36 - well below minimum wage and making life a struggle.

"It is just so difficult, you have to count each penny. It is a matter of having a bag of potatoes that will last me a week for supper, or it is baked beans on toast.

"I wouldn't mind having meat once in a while but I can't afford it," the care worker said.

Her anger is directed squarely at policy makers in government.

"I think those people in parliament need to rethink the whole idea.

"It is fine and dandy for them to be sitting on their rear ends, but they need to look at the real facts and the real way life is for carers in this country," Susan said.

'Get rid'

With 2.5 million people out of work and jobs at a premium, some believe that the problems faced by low-paid workers are actually a symptom of the minimum wage.

"If you are employing people for a job that has a productivity of five pounds an hour for your business, it genuinely is not worth paying somebody six pounds and eight pence an hour.

"Employers are going to try and find ways round the system," said Mark Littlewood of the Institute of Economic Affairs.

"My idea would be to get rid of it.

"Or at least have different rates in different regions of the country and certainly don't keep putting it up. This is basically pricing people out of the labour market and onto welfare," Mr Littlewood said.

This argument has been rejected by all the mainstream political parties and the unions.

"The evidence is very clear, there has simply not been a reduction in jobs, as a result of the minimum wage.

"The problem is with the lack in demand which is not going to be sorted by lowering the minimum wage," said Nicola Smith of the TUC.

"Poorer wages for the lowest paid workers could result in even less money in people's pockets, less spending in the economy and fewer jobs being created," Mrs Smith continued.

Though there is general agreement that minimum wage underpayment is widespread, the difficulties of investigation and proof mean there have only been seven criminal prosecutions over the national minimum wage in more than a decade.

"There is no doubt there is a minority of unscrupulous employers who are keen to take advantage of the fact the minimum wage is rarely enforced through criminal sanctions," Simon Cheetham, an employment barrister, said.

"I would have thought we are in an economic climate where these sort of abuses are likely to occur more frequently."

Panorama: All Work and Low Pay, BBC One, Monday, 3 October at 20:30 BST and then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

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CDC: Miners, construction, food workers smoke most

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ATLANTA (AP) — Construction workers, miners and food service workers top the list of occupations that smoke the most, according to a new government report. Experts say it might have as much to do with lower education levels as the jobs themselves.

"There may be other characteristics that are clustering in these industries," said Dr. Tim McAfee, director of the Office on Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Traits linked to higher smoking rates and seen in employees in these industries include being younger, having fewer years of education and making less money.

Also, some people who work outdoors are less likely to face the kind of indoor smoking bans seen in white-collar workplaces like schools, hospitals and office buildings, McAfee said.

The CDC study found 19.6 percent of working adults smoke, but as many as 30 percent in the mining, construction and food service industries smoke. Librarians and teachers smoked the least, at less than 9 percent.

For decades, the biggest smokers by profession have been roofers, drywall installers, brick and stone masons and other workers in construction trades. But health officials have warned construction workers may be at elevated risk from smoking, especially if they are exposed to asbestos. Studies have shown that people who work with asbestos are more likely to develop lung cancer if they also smoke.

Smoking also can pose extra danger for miners, who might ignite methane gas with matches or cigarette lighters. Federal officials say that since 1977, four major mine explosions have been blamed on smoking that combined killed 24 miners.

The CDC study is based on in-person interviews of more than 113,000 working adults in the years 2004 through 2010.

___

Online:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

Associated Press

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Workers Start Dismantling Dams In Wash.

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Work crews Thursday begin dismantling the two dams on the Elwha River, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. By some measures, this is the largest dam-removal project ever — and, at 210 feet, one of the dams is certainly the tallest dam ever taken down. The process is an extremely tricky one — in terms of engineering, ecology and politics — but environmentalists hope this project heralds the beginning of the end of the age of big dams in the American West. Those who like big dams, for economic reasons, worry about the same thing. Michele Norris talks with NPR's Martin Kaste.

Copyright © 2011 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.

MELISSA BLOCK, host: People are good at building dams. There are an estimated 75,000 of them on American rivers. But we don't have much practice removing them. In Washington state, that's changing today.

(SOUNDBITE OF POUNDING)

BLOCK: Workers have begun cutting into the concrete on the 210-foot-high Glines Canyon Dam, the tallest dam ever taken down. It's part of an ambitious dam-removal project on the Elwa River inside Olympic National Park. NPR's Martin Kaste hiked to a spot above the river to get a good look at the demolition work and he's on the line with us now. Martin, what are you seeing there from your vista?

MARTIN KASTE: Well, I'm actually sitting on a piece of old driftwood, an old log that was probably cut down in the 1920s when this dam was built here. The lake is slowly descending and a bunch of workers are on a barge here on the upside of the - upriver side of the dam and they're - they've just begun jack-hammering into the concrete itself. They're starting to notch into the top of it. And what they're gonna do is slowly, but surely, over the next few months, notch the dam down, letting the water come out in small doses.

MICHELE NORRIS, host: You know, as you continue to paint this picture for us, help us understand why it takes so much work to take apart one of these massive structures.

KASTE: Well, we in radio were hoping that there would be the possibility of them just blowing the thing up, 'cause it would be a great scene. But you can't do that because there's almost a century's worth of sediment built up behind this high dam. And all that sediment, this muck and mud, would go careening down this narrow, beautiful valley here. And basically it could kill the river they're trying to save.

NORRIS: Why are they removing these dams, anyway?

KASTE: Well, it's about restoration. The Elwha River runs through the Olympic National Park. It's a beautiful spot. But this dam has basically cut off what was once a prodigious salmon run. Several species of salmon used to come directly from the Pacific Ocean. This was their first stop into Puget Sound. And there are stories of 100-pound salmon coming up to spawn in this river.

Of course, since the 1920s, the two dams that are on this river have made it impossible for them to get more than four miles up. They just pretty much bump up against that concrete wall. So it's eliminated a beautiful, very productive salmon spawning river. But it's also just about restoring what is a very natural spot.

This is the Olympic National Park. This is a river that has never had any major development along it, so it's about bringing the park back to its natural state.

NORRIS: You know, when I listen to you talk about a hundred years of sediment, I wonder if it's really possible to take a dammed river and restore it to its natural state.

KASTE: That's the big question. That's why so many people are watching this. There are dozens and dozens of scientists who are basically building their careers around this project, because this is a perfect test case, a wonderful controlled situation where they can see whether or not you can restore a river like this.

The one factor, the one unnatural factor on this river are the dams. And they are going to monitor every aspect of this and find out if it's possible. Because if it is, that means a lot for other dam removal projects, or possible dam removal projects, around the country.

NORRIS: Congress passed the legislation authorizing this dam removal back in 1992. Why has it taken so long to reach this moment to finally start the process?

KASTE: It's really politics. The politics of dam removal is complicated, especially in the West, where dams have traditionally been seen as symbols of progress, of economic vitality. And, you know, in the '90s there was resistance to taking these out, even though they didn't produce all that much power. There is some concern amongst people in parts of the West that this big dam removal project is really just a harbinger of maybe more controversial dam removal projects in the future.

A lot of eyes are on the Snake River, which feeds into the Columbia River. Those are very contentious dams; they've been tied up in lawsuits for years and the question is, well, if this goes well, the people who want to keep those dams for economic reasons are worried that they might be next.

NORRIS: Martin Kaste, thanks so much.

KASTE: You're welcome.

NORRIS: That's NPR's Martin Kaste. He's at the Glines Canyon Dam at the Elwha River inside Olympic National Park in Washington State.

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HEALTH MANAGEMEN.. Workers start dismantling dams in Washington

Teams begin dismantling the two dams on the Elwha River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula Thursday. By some measures, this is the largest dam-remove project ever - and at 210 feet, one of the dams, the highest dam is certainly ever taken off. The process is a very difficult thing - on engineering, ecology and politics - but environmentalists hope this project marked the beginning of the end of the era of large dams in the American West. Those who like big dams, for economic reasons, have to worry about the same thing. Michele Norris talks to NPR's Martin caste.

MELISSA BLOCK, host: people are good at the construction of dams. There are an estimated 75,000 to American rivers. But we have not much exercise, remove it. In the State of Washington is now changing.
(SOUNDBITE OF BEAT)
BLOCK: Workers have begun to cut the highest dam in the concrete on the 210-foot tall Glines Canyon Dam, ever taken off. It is part of an ambitious dam remove project on the River ELWA in the Olympic National Park. NPR Martin caste migrated a good look at the demolition work at a job above the River, and he is now on the line with us. See Martin, what from your Vista you?
MARTIN KASTE: well, actually I'm sitting on a piece of old driftwood, an old log, which was probably deforested in the 1920s when here, this dam was built. The Lake is slowly descending and a number of workers are side of the reservoir on a barge here on the other hand upstream and they are – they have just begun jack hammers, into the concrete itself. You begin to book to the top of it. And what they do leave dam down, is slowly but surely, notch in the next few months the water come in small doses.
MICHELE NORRIS, host: You know how you for us to continue to paint this picture, help us understand why so much work to take needs one of these massive structures.
KASTE: Well, we, on the radio, hoped there would be the way of them only where what is thing, it would be a great scene bubbles. But you can not do because it's almost a century worth of sediment, which is set up behind the dam. And the sediment, dirt and mud, his tight, beautiful valley would go careening. And in fact could kill it, you try to save the River, the.
NORRIS: Why remove them these dams, anyway?
KASTE: Well, it is about restoration. The Elwha River flows through the Olympic National Park. It's a nice place. But this dam has in fact performed, which is formerly a tremendous salmon run. Several species of salmon that come directly from the Pacific Ocean. This was their first stop in the Puget Sound. And there are stories of 100-pound salmon to spawn in the River come.
Of course the two dams that are on this River have made since the 1920s impossible, more than four miles to get up it. Quite simply a push against the concrete wall. So it has a nice, very productive salmon spawning River removed. But it is also only restore, which is a very natural spot.
This is the Olympic National Park. This is a river that had never large development, so that to bring back to their natural state of the Park.
NORRIS: You know, when I hear you speak about one hundred years of sediment, I wonder if it really possible, River dammed and return it in its natural state.
KASTE: This is the big question. This is why so many people are watching this. There are dozens and dozens of scientists, which in fact are building their careers to this project, because this is a perfect test case, a wonderful situation controls where you can see whether you can restore a flow as follows.
A factor, a factor on this river the dams are unnatural. And they want every aspect of this monitor and find out if it is possible. As it is, means that much for other dam projects remove or potential removal of dam projects around the country.
NORRIS: Congress adopted legislation authorize this dam removal in 1992. Why has it taken so long to reach up to moment to finally the process?
KASTE: It really is policy. The politics of dam-removal is complicated, especially in the West, where dams traditionally as a symbol of progress, of economic vitality were seen. And you know, in the 1990s there was resistance to take them, even if it is not too much power to produce. There is some concern among people in parts of the West, that this really only one large dam removal project harbinger of perhaps more cause for controversy is dam remove projects in the future.
Many eyes are River-feeds on the Snake River in the Columbia. These are very controversial dams; They have been tied up in lawsuits for years, and the question is, well, if this goes well, the people concerned want to these dams for economic reasons are that it could be the next.
NORRIS: Martin caste, thank you.
KASTE: Gern happen.
NORRIS:, the NPR Martin is caste. He is on the Glines Canyon Dam on the River Elwha in the Olympic National Park in the U.S. State of Washington.

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HEALTH MANAGEMENT. Hospital workers only other health care

By Debra Sherman
CHICAGO | Mon Sep 12, 2011 12: 25 am EDT
CHICAGO (Reuters) - hospital employees spend 10% more health consume more medical services and are generally sicker than the rest of the workforce U.S., according to a study released on Monday.
The cost difference was even greater, if members with health costs were taken into account 13 percent with care and prescription drugs.
The study, conducted by Thomson Reuters healthcare, analyzed the risk to the health and the use of 1.1 million hospital workers and compared them with 17.8 million health plan members from all sectors across the country.
Researchers consider not the reasons for the differences.
In the health sector were more frequently diagnosed and hospitalized in the hospital employees and their families, to treat asthma, diabetes, heart failure, HIV, hypertension and mental illness.
Found that the average cost of health care for hospital employees and their relatives $4.662 per year--$ 538 higher than in the general population.
MORE VISITS, THE HE
Hospital staff and their families saw their doctors less often, but were more likely to visit 22 percent to an emergency room and spent 18 percent more time in the hospital, which resulted in study.
Kreg Sherbine, co-author of the study speculated that easy access to expensive play a role can supply.
"If they right are in the hallway of the emergency room, it could be even easier to go than to arrange an appointment with a doctor," said Sherbine.
He said the stressful environment of a hospital and the irregular hours, which can be many hospital staff work together make it difficult to maintain, one other factor a healthy lifestyle.
Sherbine said that he doubted that the reason was the exposure to disease in the workplace, because there were differences in the numerous diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
"Consciousness could be a factor." We know that chronic diseases often unrecognized. You can reasonably determine that professionals are better about their symptoms and therefore more likely to seek treatment. However does not explain that the excessive difference in usage, "he said."
Researchers found that a hospital or health system an estimated $1.5 million per year for each 1 per cent reduction of the health would save costs with 16,000 employees in medicine and pharmacy.
"There are sectors with higher risks associated." The manufacturing sector, for example, is generally older and has even less healthy people, "said Sherbine."
But with the increasing financial pressure on hospitals, hospital administrators must pay attention to their bottom line, he said.
"Salaries and benefits are their biggest cost." We think that it is really important for hospitals, this address, ", he said."

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