MEDIA
RELEASE
 

September 25, 2009

The value of caregiving work must be boosted

NZNO has welcomed comments from Business NZ that caregivers may have to be paid more to attract more people into caring for the country’s elderly.

Business NZ’s employment relations policy manager Paul Mackay told a Carers NZ conference in Auckland this week that the elderly would soon outnumber paid workers and asked who was going to do the caring. The Government had not addressed that question, he said.

NZNO’s chief executive Geoff Annals said it was refreshing to hear an acknowledgement of the fact that if caregivers were not paid a reasonable wage, there would be nobody to do their crucial work.

“It is unusual and heartening to hear Paul Mackay’s comments. We are pleased Business NZ has put the issue to the Government. NZNO has been campaigning for years for better pay, better working conditions and better training for those who care for our frail elderly. We have put the issue before successive governments but the fact is most caregivers are still paid little more than the minimum wage of $12.50 an hour,” he said.

“We also appreciate Paul Mackay’s comments on the value of work. Undoubtedly, caregivers’ work is currently grossly undervalued. If there are going to be enough people to care for a burgeoning older population, then the value of caregiving work must be enhanced. The value of the work must be boosted for two reasons: to ensure our most vulnerable elderly citizens receive ongoing quality care,  and to ensure caregivers receive a respectful  wage,” Annals said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media