Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Advisory on Equal Pay under-funding misinformation

Advisory on Equal Pay under-funding misinformation
26 July 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY

In recent weeks media have run stories claiming the Pay Equity Settlement for care and support workers in aged care will beggar many small rest homes, with some planning to reduce hours and cut staff to comply with the Settlement.

It is also claimed that the Settlement is not fully funded and that there is a funding shortfall of about $250 million which rest homes must pay for.That figure is now being reported as if it is fact which is not the case.

E tū which is familiar with the enabling legislation of the Settlement would point out the following:

• The intention of the Government is to fully fund the direct costs of the Settlement.

• Employers will receive additional funding towards offsetting the additional costs imposed by the legislation.

• The Care and Support Worker (Pay Equity) Settlement Act, which is based on the settlement agreement is clear on the funding issue – see below for the relevant sections of the Act:

18 Funding amounts increased

(1) A funder must pay an employer with whom the funder has a funding agreement additional amounts over and above the amounts required by the funding agreement towards offsetting the additional costs faced by the employer as a result of this Act.

(2) The funder must determine the additional amounts, taking into account—

(a)the increased wage costs faced by the employer as a result of this Act; and

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

(b)the increased training costs faced by the employer as a result of this Act; and

(c)any other matter that the funder considers appropriate.

• Funding will be provided 3-months in advance to employers, with audits then carried out to ensure the funding – particularly for smaller employers - is sufficient to meet the legislative commitments. This is specifically accounted for in the Settlement Agreement.

• E tū has raised the concerns raised by smaller rest homes and the Aged Care Association with the Ministry of Health which is working to ensure those rest homes are not jeopardised by the Settlement.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.