Carers NZ is calling on Health Minister Shane Reti to
fully fund a fair pay equity settlement for 65,000 care and
support workers.
Carers NZ is the national peak body
representing more than one million New Zealanders who care
for friends and family who are frail, unwell or who have
health conditions or disabilities.
A strong paid
support workforce is essential. Without it, more pressures
fall on already stressed family carers, says Carers NZ CEO
Laurie Hilsgen.
Hilsgen is speaking out ahead of
National Day of Action for Pay Equity rallies to be held
around the country tomorrow (Monday 1 July, details
below).
She says family caregiving, like the work of
paid care and support workers, has been historically
undervalued because it is work carried out predominantly by
women.
“The care and support sector is heavily reliant
on these undervalued workers who look after our loved ones –
older people, disabled whānau, people experiencing mental
health or addiction, and those recovering from illness or
injury.
“It’s time the value of their work was
fairly recognised in the pay equity settlement that has been
in train for two years.
“It’s been proven care and
support workers are being paid less than their skills,
experience and level of responsibility warrant. All that is
required to fix this inequality is for the Government to set
aside funding from their Budget
contingency.”
Without a settlement, low
pay and lack of recognition will see more workers leave a
sector that is already struggling, making it harder for tens
of thousands of New Zealanders to receive the care and
support they need, placing even more pressure on
over-burdened family carers.
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Hilsgen says
the wellbeing of family caregivers, whose mainly unpaid work
has an annual economic benefit of $17.6 billion, is the
lowest in Carers NZ’s 30-year history.
“During the
pandemic they did more than ever, with less support than
ever. Services were disrupted and there is an ongoing
shortage of support workers. Family carers are exhausted –
we need a strong support workforce that is fairly
paid.
“I urge everyone who can to attend a rally in
support of fixing a situation that affects hundreds of
thousands of New Zealanders – those who need care and
members of their family whānau and aiga.”
Media
contact: Laurie Hilsgen, Carers NZ CEO, 021 702 922 or info@carers.net.nz
Rally
details:
Nationwide rallies
Monday 1 July 2024
The rallies have been
organised by the three care and support unions, E tū, PSA,
and NZNO.
Auckland: 2pm at Victoria
Park, Auckland CBD.
Hamilton: 1:30pm
meet at PSA office – 489 Anglesea street.
New
Plymouth: 3pm at the new E tū office: 139
Powderham street, New Plymouth
Central.
Palmerston North: 12pm at
The Square/Te Marae o Hine (next to The Verdict
cafe).
Wellington: 1:30pm at
Heretaunga Boating Club, 138 The Esplanade,
Petone.
Nelson: 1:30pm meet at Nelson
City Council – 110 Trafalgar
Street.
Christchurch: 1:30pm at
Hornby Club, 17 Carmen Road,
Hornby.
Timaru: 1:30pm – corner of
Wai-Iti Road and Evans
Street.
Dunedin: 12pm outside Median
Mall, 285 George
Street.
Invercargill: 1:45pm meet at
E tū office, 33 Don
street.
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