Help us now: 23,000 home support workers crushed by petrol price hikes
As fuel prices surge following the Iran war, 23,000 home support workers are warning they cannot afford to keep delivering essential care unless the Government urgently steps in to cover rising petrol costs.
Fuel price crisis hits frontline care workers hardest
The PSA is urging Finance Minister Nicola Willis to walk the talk and deliver support for a key group of hard-working New Zealanders struggling with rising fuel costs from the Iran war – 23,000 home support workers.
The Finance Minister today said the Government was considering targeted, timely and temporary options for low income New Zealanders facing increased fuel costs triggered by the Iran war.
“There are 23,000 home support workers on low wages who look after our most vulnerable people – the elderly, disabled and injured – every single day who need help urgently, right now. They deserve better than being left to foot the bill,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Workers facing real weekly losses as petrol prices rise
Workers like Pam McLaren from Blenheim, are feeling the squeeze on their budgets as petrol prices rise. “I’ve done the calculations, it’s going to cost me $75.66 more per week to run my vehicle. I don’t know where that money’s meant to come from. It’s ending up costing a lot to go to work, and it’s not like I can ride a bike between clients, the distance is too far.”
Fleur Fitzsimons: “If the Government is serious about relieving cost of living pressures in a targeted way, then it must follow through on today’s promise and make it a priority to compensate them for rising fuel bills. It’s the right thing to do.”
Mileage rates failing to cover real travel costs
Home support workers drive their own cars between clients, caring for the elderly, disabled and injured every day, but are being reimbursed at just 63.5 cents per kilometre, well below the IRD rate, and less than half of the travel costs they face.
“These workers were already being under-compensated before the fuel crisis. They are also disadvantaged by the Government’s scrapping of a pay equity pay rise last year. They cannot afford to subsidise the cost of delivering essential government-funded services.”
A decade of neglect in travel compensation policy
Travel costs for home support workers are governed by the In Between Travel Settlement Act, introduced under a National-led Government in 2015. There have been only two increases to the mileage rate in a decade, the last was four years ago.
“It’s well past time for an urgent review,” said Fleur Fitzsimons.
“Funding for home support already flows through MSD and the Ministry of Health. An increase to the mileage rate can be delivered quickly and efficiently through existing channels. There is no excuse for delay.”
The PSA will be raising this issue urgently with the Government.
This is the contradiction at the heart of the Government’s response to the cost of living crisis — essential workers are being asked to absorb global economic shocks while continuing to deliver critical care. If petrol prices are now a barrier to doing the job, then the system itself is beginning to fracture — and that cost will ultimately be paid by the most vulnerable New Zealanders.
Note:
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
