DISABLED workers are paid less and the gap is widening, according to the STUC today.

Delegates to is 20th Annual Disabled Workers’ Conference, being held in Clydebank this weekend, will hear data compiled by the Fair Work Convention showing that the already substantial pay gap of 13.7 per cent in 2016 soared to 18.5 per cent in 2021.

The STUC disabled workers’ committee believes that the gap may be set to widen still further if the patterns seen in the last round of austerity are repeated as the public sector shrinks further.

During that period, trade unionists reported workers with disabilities or long-term illness not only had fewer job opportunities, but were also “managed out” of their employment by overzealous HR departments.

Committee and conference chair, Unison’s Tony Slaven commented: “The fact that the disability pay gap is widening should shame employers and governments. 

“Disabled workers are just as valuable as any other worker and should be paid fairly.

“We need employers and the Scottish government to take urgent action, to value disabled workers, protect their employment and ensure they receive fair pay.”