SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has called for an end the Public Sector Pay Cap.
He made his comments after Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that the 1% cap on public sector pay rises in Scotland will be scrapped next year.
There are reports that the British Government in drawing up similar plans.
The Foyle MLA said: “Year on year, our nurses, doctors and other public sector workers have been forced to take a real terms pay cut as a result of Tory blind devotion to austerity and pay restraint.
“As pressure on acute services in our hospitals increases and as hard pressed staff are asked to deliver better results with fewer resources, it is outrageous that their selfless passion continues to be punished with a bad deal.
“It’s important to remember that the public sector pay cap remains in place because of the slavish obedience of the DUP to the Tories.
“Their votes were critical to maintaining the cap, while their MPs continue to ride both horses, saying they oppose the cap. Actions speak louder than words.
“Empowered institutions in the North could end the pay cap here. We could deliver a better deal for nurses, doctors, teachers and other public sector workers.
“It looks like Scotland will act on this issue, public sector workers here should not be left behind.
They deserve better than political paralysis and stagnant pay packets.”
