Green Party back HRC's aged care recommendations

The Green Party supports the Human Rights Commission's recommendations for the aged care sector, Green Party Health spokesperson Kevin Hague said today.

The Human Rights Commission today released its inquiry into Equal Employment Opportunities in the Aged care sector and a list of recommendations.

"The Human Rights Commission has realised that it is essential there is pay parity between nurses and care workers in the aged care sector and those working in District Health Boards," said Mr Hague.

"This would go some way to reducing the shortage of qualified workers in this important sector.

"Workers in aged care are amongst the lowest paid in New Zealand, despite the invaluable work that they do caring for vulnerable older New Zealanders.

"It is disrespectful of older people themselves that those who care for them are paid and treated so poorly.

"Everybody agrees that the wages are far too low. For goodness' sake, let's get everyone together to do something about it."

Unfair wages in the aged care sector are also being considered by the Health Select Committee as a result of a petition from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and the Service and Food Workers Union.

A Green/Labour inquiry into aged care in 2010 found that chronic under-staffing was the cause of many of the problems in the aged care sector.

The Human Rights Commission has also identified a need for more work to be done regarding qualifications and safety standards in the aged care sector.

"In the absence of any proper professional development the care provided to older New Zealanders is inconsistent, and often inadequate," said Mr Hague.

"Workers in this sector need far more support so that there can be an accepted standard of care across the board."

Mr Hague said the Green Party also supported the need for voluntary standards in the aged care sector to be made mandatory.

Note: In 2010 the Green Party joined with Labour and Grey Power to put together a report into the state of aged care in New Zealand: http://www.greens.org.nz/agedcare