SFWU welcome additional support funding boost for disability services
The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota has welcomed the announcement by Minister of Health David Cunliffe of
a $91.375 million disability support funding package, part of which is targeted at the improvement of wages and
conditions for sector workers.
"We welcome the government's recognition of the important role that these services play for people with disabilities,"
said John Ryall, SFWU National Secretary.
"We believe people with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else in New Zealand and deserve
quality support services."
"The disability support workforce is poorly paid, has no funded qualification and training path and faces horrendous
challenges due to very high staff turnover."
"This funding is another step in the direction of improving the pay and conditions of workers in the disability sector
providing it flows on directly to the workers for whom it was intended."
"As well as working to ensure that all of the allocated money flows on to support workers we will be participating in a
tri-partite working group which is being set up this week to look at a longer term action plan for the disability sector
workforce development," said John Ryall.
ENDS