Moncton – The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity welcomes the Liberal Party of New Brunswick's promise to further increase the wages of home support workers as part of their Home-First Strategy.
“We’re glad the Liberals would continue to invest in the wages of home support workers. Improving senior care starts with ensuring that those who provide services receive equitable wages,” says Frances LeBlanc, the Coalition Chair.
However, the NB Coalition for Pay Equity insists that increases should reach pay equity and apply to the entire community caregiving sector.
“All political parties should remember that the caregiving sector is a patchwork of interwoven services and that wages of all workers need to be lifted up at the same time in order to avoid labor shortages.”
A study by economist Ruth Rose showed that in 2012, hourly wages for caregiving workers in New Brunswick should have been about $20 an hour to achieve pay equity. They are currently between $12 and $15 an hour.
“Caregiving services are mostly provided by women. The wages do not match the level of required skills, responsibilities, effort, and working condition. Caregiving workers deserve to have the value of their job recognized and their right to pay equity respected,” concludes Frances LeBlanc.
Community Care
- Early childhood care and education
- Home support agencies
- Transition homes
- Community residences
- Special care homes
- ADAPT centers
- Family support
- Memory Care Homes