Appearing before the Scottish Inquiry for the first time yesterday, alongside deputy general secretary Dave Moxham, the STUC set out how workers were “abandoned” by government with many making the “ultimate sacrifice”. The trade union body further called on the Scottish Government to classify long-covid as an industrial disease, recognising workers’ sacrifice during the pandemic and to properly reward them with specific welfare benefits now devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission cited by the STUC during the Inquiry suggests that a disproportionately high number of those who died from COVID were engaged in the care sector as compared to the average for all occupations.

Evidence from Professor Phil Taylor of Strathclyde University, also cited by the STUC, will show that health and social care workers were four times more likely to be exposed to the virus than when compared to workers across all other industries.

The news was condemned by the STUC, accusing the Scottish Government of failing to properly “honour and recognise” the struggle of workers during the pandemic. The Inquiry further heard from Scotland’s trade unions in health and social care on the failures of government pandemic planning, PPE stock and pandemic guidance enforceability.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “There is no doubt about it that, whilst chaos reigned all around them, Scotland’s health and social care workers placed themselves in lethal danger in service to their communities.

“A lack of PPE, little to no enforceability around pandemic guidance in addition to derisory levels of sick pay meant that workers, many of whom have now paid the ultimate sacrifice, were abandoned by government and left to rot.

“It’s an insult to the memory of those who have passed and the thousands more suffering long-covid, that the government are dragging their heals on properly commemorating those who stepped up for Scotland when we needed it most.”

Ms Foyer added: “Long-Covid must now be recognised as an industrial disease. For years to come, front-line workers, some of the lowest paid in our economy, will suffer have their lives irrevocably altered as a result of their work during the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government now has the powers over welfare to properly reward these workers with a functioning benefit system that recognises their struggle. We must now see moves to introduce welfare benefits that help those suffering long-covid followed by strident Scottish Government action that properly commemorates those who died in service to their work and our country during the pandemic.”