PRIVATE care-home workers are having to abandon their families and move into their workplaces 24-hours a day, it was revealed today.

One profiteering private care provider has told staff to sign forms committing them to “pack supplies” and “remain on site” for unlimited periods with no extra pay, the GMB union said.

The union, which represents thousands of care-home workers, says some are being told they cannot leave their workplace unless another worker is available to take over.

GMB London region says a declaration form issued by one care-home owner to staff makes “unacceptable demands” on employees, and that they are expected to work without equipment such as face masks.

“Social care has long been neglected and was at breaking point before the Covid-19 pandemic,” the union said.

“These workers see every death in their homes as a tragedy but they face unacceptable risk both to their health and financially if they get ill.”

The union has called for pay parity with NHS workers, full sick pay, and unrationed provision of personal protection equipment for care-home staff.

London region organiser Lola McEvoy said: “It cannot be overstated how disturbing the stories we hear from members are.

“They are unprotected, underpaid and lose the majority of their income if they catch the virus.

“The government must take action to guarantee no-one working on the frontline is expected to face such huge personal sacrifices and risk for the absolute minimum pay and protection.”