A DUNFERMLINE woman has blasted the Scottish Government for "discrimination" against agency care workers after being denied a £500 "thank you" payment.

The bonus payment was given to social care workers in Scotland in April as a thanks for their hard work but some are not eligible for the payment, including agency staff.

The woman, who wishes to stay anonymous, says agency staff have worked just as hard as any other carers during the pandemic and has been left feeling infuriated that others like her have been ignored.

She told the Press: "I think it's disgusting that agency workers are being treated this way.

"We have been doing exactly the same job as everyone else – it's not fair.

"There must be thousands of us that won't be getting the payment and I feel like it's just being brushed under the carpet. It's pure discrimination."

The woman has worked as a carer for the last 20 years but over the last two years, she has had a contract with a recruitment firm that send out agency staff where needed.

"I've worked throughout the pandemic in three different places looking after vulnerable people, working between 24 and 48 hours per week," she explained.

"There are many others that are in the same boat and many folk were expecting that payment in their pay for April.

"When we asked what was going on, we were told that the government says we don't qualify.

"I think it's because we get paid more but most of the time it's literally about 20p or 30p more than employed staff, and when I work at Matthew Fyfe I actually get £1 less, so there is a discrepancy there."

The Scottish Government have said that it would be up to employers to determine any additional pay for those working for private employers.

However, the Dunfermline agency worker found that stance unrealistic.

She added: "This payment should be for every carer. We've all been in the same pandemic and we should be rewarded the same.

"I know that we are not in the job for the reward but we thought we were going to get that bonus and now it's been slapped away, it seems wrong to me.

"We are doing the exact same job, how can they make a distinction?

"It's very unlikely that an employer is going to pay out £500 to their staff."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As we have previously stated, we are hugely grateful to the efforts of the many key workers in different sectors across Scotland as they have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic.

"For people working for private employers, it would be for their employer to determine their remuneration and any additions to existing pay which may be appropriate for these staff.”