Moncton – The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is calling on the government to continue its investments in the wages of the entire community caregiving sector in order to reach pay equity as soon as possible.
“Reaching pay equity in the caregiving sector is both fair and strategic,” says Frances LeBlanc, the Chair of the Coalition.
“We recognize that over the past few years, the government has invested in the wages of caregivers for seniors and people with disabilities, but jobs remain undervalued and underpaid,” she says. “These are jobs that are predominantly held by women whose wages are considerably lower than those of predominantly male jobs of the same value. Wages must be adjusted to reflect the level of responsibilities, skills and effort as well as the difficult working conditions inherent to these jobs.”
That is why the Coalition is inviting employees and employers in the caregiving sector to participate in a pay equity process to determine the value of the jobs in the sector. Results will support the Coalition’s effort to raise public awareness and advocate for investments in better wages. With the project slogan, “I care. Don't you?”, the Coalition calls on the public and the government to act.
“A previous study determined that in 2012, pay equity for some caregiving services would have been around $20 per hour – far from the current $13.40 to $15,” explains Frances LeBlanc. “We want to know what pay equity would be now and extend our own study to the whole caregiving sector.”
The Coalition stresses that caregiving is part of the social infrastructure. “Society and the economy as a whole will benefit if we invest in wages in the care sector," adds Frances LeBlanc. "People who require support will be able to count on more stable services if wages are fair. As a result, their families will be able to participate more actively in the labour market. Moreover, caregiving jobs are located across New Brunswick and wage increases for workers who earn between $13.40 and $15.05 will be spent and invested back in their communities.”
Caregivers and employers interested in the Valuing Caregiving Work project can contact the Coalition and follow its progress on the Coalition’s FaceBook Discussion Group.