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The great outsourcing swindle
From short pay, zero-hours contracts and ridiculous workloads there is just no evidence that private companies will be on the side of their employees — or good for the nation's health, writes HELEN O'CONNOR

UNDERNEATH the slick advertising and company logos lies a hidden world of precarious work driven by corporate greed as hospital cleaners, porters and catering staff lose their pay security.

Pay is frequently incorrect and workers no longer get hired on full-time contracts. NHS pay progression, NHS pensions, NHS sick pay, overtime pay, weekend pay enhancements and yearly automatic pay rises have all been removed for the vast majority of outsourced workers.

A multi-tier workforce is emerging in hospitals as each Tupe transfer to a new employer sees pay, terms and conditions diminish even further for the new influx of hospital ancillary staff.

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