Supreme Court Delivers Christmas Cheer for Aged Care Workers

Aged care workers who do so much for our elderly will have something extra to smile about over Christmas with the Supreme Court not accepting an appeal by the New Zealand Aged Care Association. While not fully settled it opens the door to pay parity.

“The decision of the Supreme Court is important for pay parity with District Health Board aged care workers,” says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“Working in a rest home is a tough and demanding job. We rely on aged care workers to look after our parents, grandparents and friends yet we have been let down by a government that has ignored them.

“This has seen aged care workers in DHB’s receive a minimum of $17.50 per hour, while the numerically greater number of caregivers outside of DHB’s, receive an average hourly rate of only $15.31.

“Aged care has been underfunded for too long, something that New Zealand First has consistently highlighted. We have called for pay parity of aged care workers in private homes with those employed by District Health Boards

“This decision means it is now time for the government to step up. At the same time rest home owners must be directed to top up wages.

“We have a strong track record on this by improving workers’ wages. Furthermore, as part of New Zealand First’s confidence and supply agreement with the then Labour Government in 2005, we boosted funding by $587 million over two Budgets.

“The Supreme Court decision validates New Zealand First policy, which calls for an update of the 2010 report into aged care services,” Mr Peters said.

ENDS

Authorised by Winston Peters, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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