Disability carers will receive an additional pay rise worth 10% over two years after unions and employers agreed a deal.

The offer is additional to the 3.2% raise that had already been agreed for the 200,000 workers in the disability care sector this year.

The agreement, negotiated by three trade unions and the employers’ association VGN, also doubles the rate for travel expenses to 16 cents per kilometre and raises compenation for working irregular hours.

Contracted staff will be given priority when drawing up rotas to relieve their workload. Unions had complained that the current policy of giving freelancers first refusal meant staff were left to pick up the heaviest shifts.

Employees’ rights will also be strengthened by formalising the procedure for dealing with excessive behaviour, such as bullying and harassment, in the workplace.

Femke Merel van Kooten, chair of the NU’91 union, said: “It is important that all healthcare professionals are protected at work against all forms of aggression, intimidation, discrimination and/or bullying.”

The deal covers the period until the end of 2024. The unions will put the proposals to their members for a vote next month.