In June 2018 the Government announced the extension of the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity Settlement to New Zealand’s estimated 5,000 mental health and addiction support workers.
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In an agreement with unions and employers, the Government has agreed to extend the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act to include mental health and addiction support workers.
The settlement delivers a new pay scale that reflects workers’ qualifications and experience.
Nearly half will get an increase of more than $3 per hour which means that full-time workers will be paid approximately an extra $120 a week before tax.
A further 20 percent will get an increase of more than $5 per hour or around an extra $200 for a 40-hour week.
The $173.5 million settlement extension will be implemented over a five-year term and funded through an increase to Vote Health.
As well as increasing the wages of workers, making a real difference to their lives, the settlement improves access to training and supports reduced turnover in the sector, meaning better care for some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.
For further information
If you are an employee:
- contact your employer in the first instance.
- if your issue remains unresolved you can contact your union or someone who can give you advice and represent you if needed.
- PSA: phone 0508 367 722 or email enquiries@psa.org.nz
- E tū: phone 0800 186 466 or email support@etu.nz
- you can also contact:
- your local Citizens Advice Bureau
- Employment New Zealand: phone 0800 209 020
If you are a provider:
- you can call Platform Trust (whether or not you are a member) for advice:
- phone 04 385 0385
- email support@platform.org.nz
- you can contact Careerforce for questions about qualifications:
If you have further questions please contact the Ministry's Mental Health & Addiction Pay Equity Team:
- freephone: 0800 540 904
- email MHApayequity_implementation@moh.govt.nz