National and ACT are committed to pay parity and both recognise the serious issues with resourcing the aged care sector, reducing/closing beds etc. Don't know about NZF. Labour have had five years and Dr DoLittle has done next to nothing for aged care workers, moreover created disparity between DHB Nurses and aged-care Nurses. What Labour did do, as you'll see below, is the "
Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill" which expires 31 December 2023, and you'll note how abysmal the 'pay equity' is:
Firstly though for comparison:
- Minimum wage in NZ is $22.70 p/h effective 1st April 2023.
- Living wage is $26.00 p/h effective from 1st September 2023.
Now here's what our 'Support Workers' can expect, note the length of service(!) and/or qualifications, to get a pay rise:
Worker’s
length of service with employer 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2023
Less than 3 years $22.49
(less than minimum wage, how can that be?)
3 years or more but less than 8 years $24.06
(less than living wage)
8 years or more but less than 12 years $26.16
(16 cents more than living wage)
12 years or more, if subclause (2) applies $27.20
(wow, $1.20 more than living wage)
12 years or more, if subclause (2) does not apply $28.25
(pushing the boat out, $2.25 more than living wage)
Worker’s
level of qualification 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2023
No relevant qualification $22.49
Level 2 qualification $24.06
Level 3 qualification $26.16
Level 4 qualification $28.25
This is what is expected of a '
Health Care Assistant', for the pay rates above. Have a read of the comments "What's the job really like?"