The PSA is urging the Finance Minister to make 23,000 home support workers a priority when delivering urgent support to low income workers hit by sharply rising petrol prices.

Nicola Willis told media today she wants a ‘very targeted and temporary’ fix for those ‘acutely impacted’, adding she doesn’t want to see a situation where ‘people can’t drive to work.’

"We agree with Nicola Willis - and home support workers should be at the front of the queue - and right now there’s a fast, ready fix available that could be done today by raising their mileage allowance," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

The Finance Minister is seeking advice from Inland Revenue and Treasury about using the tax and transfer system to deliver support - tax credits under Working for Families or the Independent Earner Tax Credit. But neither may help many home support workers.

"These workers drive their own cars between clients every day, and are the only publicly funded workers required to do so with such a miserable mileage reimbursement. They have no choice but to drive and rising petrol prices are hitting them directly in the pocket with every shift.

"But there’s a simple, fast fix right now for these essential workers. The Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016 requires Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to pay a mileage rate to these workers. The Health Minister can direct that rate to be lifted immediately, no complicated fiddling with the tax and transfer system required, no delay, just fast, real help."

The allowance was last adjusted four years ago so should be being reviewed right now.

Fleur Fitzsimons said: "These are low-paid, predominantly female workers providing critical care to elderly and disabled New Zealanders. If the Government is serious about protecting working people from the fuel crisis, it can today deliver the support they need right now.

"The PSA urges the Government to do the right thing by these workers, today. They can’t afford to wait."

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