Moncton — The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is pleased that the provincial government has chosen an inclusive approach in determining which front-line jobs are eligible for the pay top-up provided by the federal and provincial governments. In fact, a monthly supplement of $500 will be granted for 4 months to front-line workers earning less than $18 per hour to support them during the COVID-19 crisis.
"We’re glad that the important work of care attendants from the majority of the community care-giving sector, as well as early childhood educators, is being recognized. All too often, this predominantly female workforce is systematically underpaid and undervalued," says Frances LeBlanc, the Chair of the Coalition.
The women and men who provide care for children, the elderly, people living with disabilities and women fleeing violence currently earn between $14 and $16 per hour. Their wages do not reflect the responsibilities, skills, effort and working conditions required for their work.
"The COVID-19 crisis has made us aware of our reliance on care-giving and child care services. We are now calling on the government to develop a long-term plan to ensure that wages in these services reflect the value of their work," adds Leblanc. "Let's aim for pay equity."
The Coalition recognizes the hard work of care attendants and the support they receive from the community.
Services that will benefit from a pay top-up include:
- Child care
- Direct in-person care as home support to adults or children
- In-person care in group homes, community residences, special care homes, homeless shelters and transition houses
- Domestic violence intervention
- Food banks
– 30 –