Family carers to get increase from current wage

Julie Anne Genter. Photo: RNZ.

Parents and partners of disabled people with high or very high support needs will be paid for caring for their family members.

Pay rates for family carers will also increase from the current minimum wage to a fairer pay equity rate of between $20.50 and $25.50.

'We have heard loud and clear from families with disabled members about the need to change Funded Family Care. Today progresses a more compassionate government that addresses the needs of stretched parents and partners,” says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

'I want to acknowledge families and whanau who provide this important and sometimes challenging care for their loved ones.”

'We are addressing issues that have caused national and international concern since Funded Family Care was introduced in 2013,” says Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter.

The Government has also decided to repeal Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.

"This will restore people's human rights to be involved in decision making, and have the right to complain about policies that affect them and their families,” says Julie Anne.

'We also heard from families about the need to remove the requirement for an employment relationship between a disabled person and their family member. Health Ministers will consider alternative options which do not place unreasonable expectations on disabled people, their family or whanau.”

The changes will come into effect in 2020 once legislation has gone through a Select Committee process which will include public consultation.

Budget 2019 allocated $32 million in contingency for these changes.

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1 comment

Overit

Posted on 08-07-2019 12:43 | By overit

Um, Level 3 Carers who have completed Level 3, dont even get $25.50. I am sure there will be some abuse of this as in all sectors.


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