Under changes to the Funded Family Care policy announced by the Government, pay rates will increase from the current minimum wage to a fairer pay equity rate of between $20.50 and $25.50.
PSA national secretary Kerry Davies says it is only fair that the Government is bringing the pay rates for family members into line with those earned by care and support workers under their pay equity settlement.
"We are pleased the Government has moved to pay equal pay rates to parents and partners providing disability support for their whānau," she says.
"The PSA has had a long history of supporting family carers, so we are pleased the Government is making these changes to properly recognise these workers and pay them properly."
The PSA Deaf and Disability Network says the changes acknowledge the commitment of family members who may be caring for their loved ones for decades.
"They give up much of their own lives to ensure the family member remains home with those who love and know them best."
See also: Law repeal a win for carers of disabled family members
2018-09-28
The PSA supports the government’s repeal of a controversial disability section in the Public Health and Disability Act.
“This is a discriminatory law and it will be really positive to see this discrimination eliminated,” says Kerry Davies, PSA assistant national secretary.
“The Funded Family Care policy was introduced by the previous government as a way to avoid their human rights obligations and it has been grossly unfair for people in need of proper support and assistance.”
“We agree the policy hasn’t been working for families or disabled people, and we have been advocating for the action announced this week,” says Kerry Davies.
“This repeal will also restore people’s right to complain about human rights breaches relating to care of family members with disabilities.
“Now that a period of targeted consultation has been announced – to cover issues like pay rates for carers and their employment relationship – the PSA will be actively engaging in that consultation with and for PSA members.”
