Recession 'will affect disabled workers'

21/05/2009

Some of Britain's most vulnerable workers are facing some of the worst effects of the recession, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

A report released by the body yesterday found that disabled workers are being discriminated against by employers forced to make job cuts due to the downturn.

The TUC said that similar patterns had been seen in the recessions affecting the UK economy in the 1980s and 1990s.

This means that more and more are likely to face redundancy over the months to come.

Latest government figures show that unemployment stands at 2.22 million.

However, figures cited by the TUC suggests that this total will hit three million by next year.

Commenting on the concerns over disabled workers, TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "As in previous recessions it will be disabled workers who will be disproportionately affected [in job loss numbers]: by funding pressures on key services, with the public finances now deep in the red; by discrimination during redundancy selection, based perhaps on absence records; and by an even greater reluctance on the part of employers to meet their obligations towards disabled staff."

Tags; Job loss, Recent Graduate Debt,

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•