Retail union Usdaw has launched a campaign to remove a financial ‘ball and chain’ that limits the amount retail staff who care for others can earn.
The union is calling for the abolition of the current £84 per week earnings rule that prevents carers who earn more than this from qualifying for Carers’ Allowance.
Usdaw claims the limit means many face the difficult choice of either claiming the benefit and working fewer hours, or working longer, but losing their benefit.
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John Hannett, general secretary, said: “Thousands of carers are telling us that they want the option of working longer hours and still being entitled to receive a much deserved benefit. We believe the only way to achieve this is to scrap the earning limit which carers say is limiting their employment choices.”
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