A Carers' Charter

A Carers' Charter could be the basis of a campaign to establish human rights for carers. At the centre must be the right to a reasonable life. So a recognition of the work carers do must come first. Carers are workers who need and are entitled to a wage. If they did not undertake this work, the state would have to take responsibility for it and it would cost far more. Carers also need an organisation to fight for a wage and improved conditions of service, an embryonic carers trade union.Its right to organise and negotiate on behalf of carers should be recognised by the TUC and the trade union movement generally. The above applies to all carers, regardless of their age or whether they are full-time or part-time.

If caring is to be a form of community provision, then the home must be seen as a workplace for carers, with proper conditions to meet carees situations. Carers' conditions of service should include a full medical and social assessment of their carees needs and of their own capacity to care for them. Carers who are incapacitated themselves should receive their own assessment and all necessary support.The same regulations which apply to other work places are also relevant to domestic houses in which caring takes place. All necessary equipment for therapy need to be provided. Health and safety regulations should be observed. Carers need and are entitled to annual leave, sick pay, the availability of relief workers for their own health appointments,shopping and recreation, etc. They should be fully consulted about their conditions of service and of any changes to them, before implementation.

The Carers' Charter asks for no more and no less than the same right to life which others already take for granted.