Budget Silent on Aged Care Workers’ Pay

Aged care workers have been neglected once again by the National Government, says New Zealand First.

“There was absolutely nothing in Budget 2014 that improves funding for aged care services and employees,” says Health spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“With costs rising for everything in New Zealand, pressure is building and aged care workers are unlikely to get a bigger share of the health funding pie unless the Government makes a significant and greater contribution.

“They should not be ignoring aged care workers, who have the demanding job of looking after our elderly.

“We rely on them to do a challenging job, yet the Government turfs them to the bottom of the heap as if they do not matter.

“Aged care services will need to increase as the population ages, the government will find itself caught out if it does not address adequate funding of the industry now,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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