THANK you for highlighting the pay problems women suffer with your story about how more than 40 per cent are not on the living wage in Leigh.

I work for a healthcare company, whom people always assume give us good pay and benefits. It is not the case.

We all assumed we would get free healthcare, no chance. Good pay and conditions? No, we get 10p over the minimum wage.

For the first time in years pay has gone up about just over £2 an hour from £3.65 per hour to £6.41 per hour – an increase of less than £3 in 20 years.

There is no night rate supplement for 12-hour shifts, no weekend rate either for 12-hour shifts – we get the same pay all the time.

No double pay either at Christmas or Easter or bank holidays – it is time-and-a-half now with no days in lieu.

We have been been promised lots but get nothing and are expected to put up with physical and verbal abuse most of the time.

I am struggling on 60-hour weeks to get by to pay for everything I need to, there is never anything left over for me to enjoy myself.

I don’t get any financial help as I work overtime if I can, so I am not entitled.

I am not young anymore and I am at the end of my tether with working and being exploited.

I do hope you get the reaction I think you should – it’s about time someone stood up for us. Thanks.

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