Rotorua care workers elated with impending pay rise

Home support worker Karen Wass is elated with her impending pay rise. Photo/Stephen Parker

The hard fought pay equity deal for some low-paid health care professionals is finally giving light to an "undervalued and grossly underpaid" line of work, one local worker says.

The settlement, announced by the Government this week, was part of a package worth $2 billion over five years, Prime Minister Bill English said.

The historic settlement will lead to hefty pay increases for up to 55,000 workers, mostly women, in the aged residential care, home support and disability service sectors.

This includes Rotorua home support worker Karen Wass, whose union E Tu lodged a pay equity claim on her behalf with the Employment Relations Authority in 2012.

"It's amazing. All we can say is finally, we are so undervalued and grossly underpaid for the work we do and the hours we put into looking after the elderly.

"The job I do varies from helping people shower, doing their housework, dressing them, making sure they take their medication and providing them with a cuppa and conversation. My days can range from four hours to 10.

"I love what I do, I wouldn't do it otherwise, but I did have to take a pay cut when I switched jobs and I am on not much more than minimum wage."

Ms Wass said staff turnover in her line of work was high, attributing that mainly to the low pay.

"People need to earn enough to live on and what many care workers are being paid is not enough. The pay rises will depend on each individual's experience but I know I'd be happy with the minimum $3 pay rise.

"It will be great to finally be paid and recognised for the important work we do and I just hope it is ratified as quickly as possible."

Rotorua Grey Power chairman Russell Hallam said the group was pleased with the announcement and the progress it signified.

"We have long felt aged care work was both an undervalued and underpaid occupation... While we are pleased with this progress, we also acknowledge there is still a way to go.

"We look forward to seeing the value given to the workers who work hard to show value to those they look after."

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said as a result of the settlement, carers who were mostly on the minimum wage, would receive a pay rise of between 15 and 50 per cent.

"For the 20,000 workers currently on the minimum wage of $15.75 per hour, it means on July 1 they will move to at least $19 per hour, a 21 per cent pay rise," he said.

"All workers in the affected sectors would see their wages increase to between $19 and $27 over five years."

The settlement was expected to have wider ramifications, and Mr English said he understood other sectors were also considering filing pay equity claims.

The $2b settlement would be funded through increases in the health and ACC budgets, which could mean increased ACC levies over the next decade, Dr Coleman said.

"It's a tough job, tougher than a lot of people appreciate. It's really great that they are finally being recognised with decent remuneration, and long may it continue."