Barbara Stewart MP

Spokesperson for Health
2 JULY 2014

Rest Home Caregivers Urgently Need Pay Top Up

Rest home caregivers earn over $100 a week less than others doing the same work for District Health Boards, and it’s unfair, says New Zealand First.

“This is a deplorable situation,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart. “New Zealand First wants this addressed and supports pay parity with the DHB workers for the hard working caregivers who look after our elderly.”

“In 2012, Prime Minister John Key said, ‘in reality it’s one of these things that we’d love to do if we had more cash, and as the country moves back to surplus’.

“Now the government has manufactured a surplus, it’s time for Mr Key to front up with the cash. There’s also money left over from the unpopular asset sales, even after spending to chase regional votes with a roading package.

“Or does the government believe multinational companies who make movies and aluminium are more deserving than caregivers who look after the elderly?

“In view of the importance of the elder care sector and the ageing population, New Zealand First is calling for a national plan for the future of elder care.

“In 2002, a Price Waterhouse Coopers report identified aged residential care in New Zealand as being underfunded by 20 per cent.

“New Zealand First made a commitment to address this funding deficit and was responsible for the additional $587million secured for the aged residential care sector in 2006 and 2007 under the NZ First-Labour 2005 Confidence and Supply Agreement,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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