Human Rights Commission

Some female carers in the aged care sector are among the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. Aged care workers are attending public meetings around the country to have their say in the Human Rights Commission’s Inquiry into the Equal Employment Opportunities Issues in the Aged Care Sector.

In the next six months meetings in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Southland will allow members of the public to have their say.

The Commission is holding public and face-to-face meetings; visiting rest-homes and hospitals; speaking with providers and DHBs; and talking with as many people as possible interested in this sector,  in residential or home-based care.

“We want to hear the views of nurses and carers, GPs, those receiving care as well as the views of DHBs, employers, managers and anyone who has an interest in improving conditions in the sector,” says Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor.

“We’ve had some very lively public meetings with carers telling members of the public just how important their job is and how they feel about their pay and working conditions.”

Greypower is helping the Commission organise these meetings to talk with people receiving care and their families. A number of residential facility owners and health care assistants have also come to meetings.

Good practice and new innovative models of aged care are being looked at and will be reported in the inquiry including responses to Christchurch’s earthquakes.

The Commission is also seeking written submissions from those interested in the inquiry, but unable to attend the meetings. Submissions close December 31, 2011. Visit  http://www.neon.org.nz/agedcareinquiry/ to complete an electronic submission form or email  emilias@hrc.co.nz .

The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference include:

• the regulatory frameworks in the aged care sector
• workforce supply issues – including recruitment and retention
• training and qualifications
• conditions of work, including staff to resident ratios and managerial competence
• wages of nurses, health care assistants and others in the aged care sector, and equal pay, pay parity and pay equity issues
• the role of men and women working in the aged care sector
• equal employment opportunities and  migrant workers
• other equal employment opportunities issues.

People can speak to the Inquiry confidentially if they wish and the information is collected and written to enable people to speak safely without being identified.