Respect and dignity linked to decent pay in aged care sector

Mon 7 Nov 2011

Many of the 600 New Zealanders who have spoken up about equal employment opportunities in the aged care sector have linked the respect and dignity of older people to the payment of their carers.

EEO Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor says that older people receiving care that the Commission has spoken to are often deeply embarrassed at the poor, and often minimum wages, received by those who come into their homes or care for them in residential facilities. 

One carer wrote,” many clients are aware of the abysmal wages and conditions of support workers and are deeply embarrassed by the situation. It is an awful predicament for them to be in. By the Government and provider organisations failing to provide adequate mileage and a living wage to support workers, they are also disrespecting older people”.

Dr McGregor said, “the low value, both in terms of prestige and financially, of caring work is a major message we are hearing as we travel throughout New Zealand. Older people receiving care are saying that this demeans them as well.”

The Human Rights Commission’s inquiry which is underway at present has seen the Commissioner and staff visit residential aged care facilities, hold public meetings and face to face meetings with aged care providers, District Health Boards, nurses, geriatricians, unions, carers, managers and community groups.

The Commission has made regional visits to Auckland, Warkworth, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane, Nelson, Christchurch, Rangiora, Invercargill, Dunedin and Southland so far and will be again visiting Auckland and undertaking work in Wellington and on the Kapiti Coast in coming months.

“We’ve held some very big public meetings with older people that have been organised by Grey Power. Over 100 people turned up in Rangiora and a University of the Third Age (U3A) meeting in Rotorua attracted about 80 people.” The Commission is also receiving electronic submissions on its website through questionnaire and by email and has a number of written submissions from throughout New Zealand.

Have Your Say:
The Human Rights Commission wants to hear your views about the EEO issues in the aged care sector. You can:
•complete the online form
•send us an email submission
•write to us: The EEO Commissioner, Human Rights Commission, PO Box 12411, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

You can also email emilias@hrc.co.nz  if you would like hard copies of the survey forms mailed to you.