Aotearoa's 65,000 care and support workers are some of the lowest paid workers in our health system. By signing this petition you are sending a strong message to the Government that their plan to pay care and support workers only 2.5-3% more for the next 18 months is just not good enough. Urgent action is needed to increase the funding so workers and those they care for are not left in the lurch.

These workers provide care and support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They work in residential aged care, disability, mental health and addictions, and home support services. In 2017, after an 8 year legal battle, workers won an historic settlement which improved pay rates. But now, on 1 July the settlement expires, the pay rates have lost value, and once again, this group of mostly women workers is facing a future with low pay, and without any certainty that their progression and training rights will be maintained.

The Government's plan to pay workers less than half the current CPI rate is unfair. Not only is it an effective pay cut, it is an injustice and an insult to care workers who kept going during the pandemic to ensure support was delivered to our whanau and communities. Unless action is taken, it is our relatives and loved ones - their clients and residents - who will suffer. They'll lose trained, skilled, committed support workers and be faced with not receiving the care they need.

Sector providers, client advocacy groups, families and communities agree. Together, we call on the Government to urgently address this crisis, and Pay Fair For Care.