Contract cleaners receive Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment following protests

IN A SIGNIFICANT development, SIPTU representatives have announced that contract cleaners in hospitals across Ireland have finally received the long-awaited €1000 Pandemic Special Recognition Payment.

The payment comes after a series of public protests last week by the 'Forgotten Frontline Heroes Campaign,' which drew attention to the delayed compensation owed to these essential workers.

Last Thursday, contract cleaners organised protests outside Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, University Hospital Limerick, and Galway University Hospital. The demonstrations aimed to shed light on the plight of these workers who had not received the promised pandemic recognition payment.

Acknowledging the success of the protests, Teresa Hannick, the SIPTU Services Division Organiser, stated, "Following the successful day of action by our members in Dublin, Limerick, and Galway, we have received confirmation that the Pandemic Special Recognition Payment has been paid to the workers involved."

She further emphasised the power of effective protest, highlighting the prompt processing of the payment as a testament to the unity and strength demonstrated by the members over the past few months.

Ms Hannick pledged: "We will continue our campaign of actions across the country until every contract services worker in the health sector, who worked through the pandemic, get what they are entitled to."