13 July 2006

Winter of Discontent For Aged Care

Caregivers, nurses and support staff who work in aged care will be on the streets in the main centres and many small towns on Friday (14 July) in a “Winter of Discontent” national action day.

The members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Service and Food Workers Union are seeking public support for their Fair Share For Aged Campaign to achieve adequate government funding for the aged care sector.

“Of course our members in aged care are discontented,” said NZNO aged care coordinator, Rob Haultain today.

“They are being left out in the cold. Inadequate government funding means low staffing levels, minimal training and poverty pay rates for the residential aged care workforce.”

Rob Haultain said the situation was worsened by lack of accountability over funding currently given to wealthy corporates in the aged care sector who could afford to pay their staff fairly but chose not to.

“It is a disgrace that public money is handed over to corporates without requiring them to pay acceptable pay rates and maintain safe staffing levels and adequate training,” she said.

“The impact is not just felt by the workforce. Lack of funding impacts of the quality of care of our elderly and so it affects whole communities.”

Rob Haultain said the $17 million annual funding government announced for residential aged care sector in the budget amounted to just 51 cents for a caregiver on the average hourly rate of $10.85 an hour.

“Everyone knows this sector is in crisis, with a 40 per cent turnover and hopelessly inadequate staffing levels and training,” she said.

“How long will those who do one of the hardest and least valued jobs in New Zealand be left out in the cold?”

ENDS