News

After decades of underpayment and lack of recognition New Zealand's home care and community support workforce is closer than ever to being paid for travel time between jobs.  

Members of UNI Global Union affiliate the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU), along with the Public Services Association, have been campaigning for years to ensure that the predominantly female and low paid home care workforce has their travel time recognised as working time. Currently some home support workers are unpaid while they travel between homes - and in rural areas the distances can be significant.

This week, New Zealand's government has agreed to sit down and negotiate a settlement, some of which will be paid for by the government. This represents a major step away from their previous position on this issue. Health Minister Tony Ryall had stated that this was a "matter between home care employers and home care employees", rather than a government responsibility.

'We have long argued that this situation is unacceptable, and that the government has a role to play in fixing the problem. said SFWU member and home care worker Tamara Baddeley.

'The care workforce is vital to our communities. Our elderly and many, many more depend upon this workforce so they can lead decent lives. That is why it is critical that the government ensures the sector is funded so that the workforce is paid appropriately, and quality care can be provided.'

For more information about the Service and Food Workers' Union see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/41265284512/?ref=br_tf

Tamara (back left) with union activists campaigning for a fair deal for home support workers.