Councillors in Newport have called for care workers to have a fixed wage across Wales to combat the lack of staff in the sector.
In last Wednesday's performance scrutiny committee meeting Cllr Paul Cockeram, cabinet member for social services, said until carers are paid the same across Wales, staff will continue to move around local authorities depending on the salaries in that area.
Local authorities, such as Newport City Council, have a statutory responsibility for social care.
Cllr John Richards, who represents Lliswerry, asked how restricted the council were when it came to social workers salaries.
Cllr Richards added: “At the end of the day, if you want to attract new employees, salaries are key.”
Sally Anne Richards, head of children’s services, said that the council is a “good employer” and it pays a comparative salary.
But, Ms Richards said: “The hospitality industry, for example, can now pay more and is paying more than what some people get when working in care – which does feel unfair, to put it very mildly, when looking at the skills and responsibility that is needed.”
Ms Richards added that she thinks the staffing issue is wider than salaries, she said as a society we need to value those who work in social care.
Ms Richards said that throughout the winter staffing will continued to be a challenge, she added that the workforce is a “complicated picture at the moment”.
According to the British Medical Association, social care is facing unprecedented pressures, because of increasing demand, funding and workforce constraints.
