Wellington home support workers who are being slammed by rising fuel costs are rallying outside Nicola Willis office on 1 April to call on the Government to urgently increase the mileage allowance.

Workers will bring scooters, wheelbarrows, and toy cars to show the ridiculous lengths they’ll need to go to now they can no longer afford petrol to travel between clients.

"Home support workers use their own vehicles to travel to their clients. They fund their own vehicle cost and are paid an already inadequate mileage rate, and the rocketing cost of fuel means they are even worse off", says Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

"These workers are providing an essential public service. They are among the lowest-paid workers in the country and already had their pay equity claim cancelled.

"The fuel crisis is hitting these workers hard, the Health Minister has the power to get the rate increased immediately and he should," Fitzsimons says.

Home support workers across the country who say they are having to choose between buying food for their whānau and putting fuel in the car for work, will be taking part in similar ‘April Fuels Day’ events at the same time.

The PSA and E tū have filed legal action in the Employment Relations Authority alleging Health NZ is unlawfully requiring home support workers to provide their own cars and pay associated costs when travelling to and between clients’ homes all over New Zealand.

"These workers have been let down at every turn. This legal action is about making clear that what is being asked of them is unlawful, not just unfair," Fitzsimons says

Wellington April Fuels Day event details:

12.30pm meeting at Mobil, 4 Johnsonville Road travelling to Nicola Willis’s Office.

Other nationwide events (additional locations may be added to web page): https://www.psa.org.nz/campaigns/april-fuels-day):

Auckland: 1.30pm meet outside the Auckland War Memorial Museum for 'The Ridiculous Race'.

Christchurch: 1.30pm meet outside NPD Petrol Station, 392 Moorhouse Avenue.

Hamilton: 1:30pm meet at PSA offices 489 Angelsea Street - walk to Tama Potaka’s office, 109 Rostrevor Street.

Cambridge: 1.30pm meet at Victoria Green (by the toilets), Cnr Victoria and Queen Street. 1:45pm walk down to Louise Upston office, 3 Anzac Street.

Nelson: 1.30pm meet outside the BP on Haven Road.

Timaru:12pm meet cnr North St and Craigie Avenue, Timaru.

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