Petition · past parliament
Raise wages for key workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rejected
16 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the Government to make it compulsory for workplaces to offer higher wages for key workers during this time.
Key workers are on some of the lowest wages - healthcare, food production, waste collection etc. Yet, they are expected to risk their lives during the coronavirus outbreak, along with the lives of their family members at home. Although a rise in pay will not prevent workers from getting infected, it would offer some compensation for their daily sacrifice, as well as showing appreciation for the essential work that they do. Some employers have already recognised their staff's contribution, but others must follow suit.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
The Government is not responsible for setting the salary of most key workers, or setting minimum wages for particular sectors, but you may wish to sign petitions calling for the following actions:
Make hazard pay mandatory for key workers in the midst of COVID 19: Make hazard pay mandatory for key workers in the midst of COVID 19.
Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis: Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis
Pay bonus to all key workers: Pay bonus to all key workers
Incentivise NHS staff during the COVID19 outbreak by making wages untaxable: Incentivise NHS staff during the COVID19 outbreak by making wages untaxable
Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work: Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work
Bonus for emergency services personnel working due to COVID-19: Bonus for emergency services personnel working due to COVID-19
Make the minimum wage equal for all ages and increase to at least £10: Make the minimum wage equal for all ages and increase to at least £10
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
Make hazard pay mandatory for key workers in the midst of COVID 19: Make hazard pay mandatory for key workers in the midst of COVID 19.
Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis: Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis
Pay bonus to all key workers: Pay bonus to all key workers
Incentivise NHS staff during the COVID19 outbreak by making wages untaxable: Incentivise NHS staff during the COVID19 outbreak by making wages untaxable
Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work: Increase pay for NHS healthcare workers and recognise their work
Bonus for emergency services personnel working due to COVID-19: Bonus for emergency services personnel working due to COVID-19
Make the minimum wage equal for all ages and increase to at least £10: Make the minimum wage equal for all ages and increase to at least £10
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
Timeline
| 26 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 15 Apr 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
16
Status
Rejected
Rejected
15 Apr 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.