Calls for a special fund for care home staff at risk of a financial hit if they contract covid-19 have been rejected at Holyrood.
The plan was struck down despite concerns workers are scared to be tested for coronavirus in case a positive diagnosis leaves them on £94 a week statutory sick pay.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon hoped to secure support for a fund topping up pay.
But she could not convince a majority of Holyrood’s emergency Covid-19 committee to add the proposal to the latest legislation being rushed through parliament.
After the rejection by SNP and Tory members, Lennon said: “We cannot have staff scared to be off sick because they won’t be paid - especially not when being at work will mean staff risk spreading Covid-19 to the vulnerable and other workers. This is about saving lives and livelihoods.
“Health Secretary Jeane Freeman needs to explain why the Scottish Government opposed this proposal and urgently set out what she will put in place to provide support to all social care staff who are facing financial difficulty because of this crisis.”
Care home staff who have covid-19 symptoms receive a test and an investigation is carried out in all care homes with positive cases.
In these circumstances all residents and staff, whether they have symptoms or not, are offered a test.
Calls have also been made to test every single resident and staffer after 1434 deaths occurred in care homes.
However, it was reported staff are scared to get a test because of the possible impact on their finances.
Many workers are employed by private sector operators and some have been told they would only be entitled to £94 a week sick pay.
