CTU Women’s Council Condemns ACC Attack On Low Paid Workers

The Women’s Council of the NZCTU have condemned ACC’s cutting of travel allowances for home support workers as yet another attack on the low paid and on women in particular.

“It is an appalling decision by ACC to cut the travel allowance for home-support workers and mounts to an attack on vulnerable workers, almost all of whom are women – and who are least able to afford it,” said CTU Women’s Council Co-convenor Anna Kenny. “It is also yet another contribution to New Zealand’s shameful gender pay gap.”

“The Government is on record saying it is concerned about low pay. Yet these changes could cut the pay of a home support worker by up to $17.50 over a seven hour day – that’s 19% of their total daily income.”

“It is just another blow to vulnerable workers and seems to be part of a series of attacks by ACC on the low paid. The Bill before Parliament proposes cuts to the compensation entitlements of low paid seasonal workers and casual workers when they are injured.”

“We are writing to the Minister of ACC to ask why they are cutting low paid workers’ wages if the Government really is concerned about low pay and gender pay inequity.”

“Home care workers are the lowest paid workers of any ACC funded workers and the work they do is intensely physical and emotionally demanding. But while the work they do is highly valued, they are among the lowest paid working New Zealanders. The decision to cut their travel allowances adds insult to injury,” said Kenny.

ENDS

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