The Government must act on discriminatory and unjust pay inequalities within the aged care sector, a Human Rights Commission report has urged.
The Caring Counts report, released today, found community care workers funded by District Health Boards (DHBs) through providers were often paid $3 to $5 an hour less than staff directly employed by DHBs.
The report urged a stepped approach to achieving pay parity in the low-paid workforce within three years.
It also recommended minimum qualification levels for aged care workers and compulsory safety standards to replace the current voluntary standards.
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Judy McGregor said pay inequalities were a "clear injustice'' and action was needed, given the shortfall of people to care for an aging population.
"Affordability cannot be used an excuse to delay sorting pay inequalities for aged care workers who are being discriminated against,'' she said.
"There are legal obligations relating to pay equality and for far too long we have exploited the emotional goodwill of thousands of workers, predominantly women. Inaction means we're condoning a fundamental breach of human rights.''
The report follows an inquiry into equal employment issues in the aged care workforce.
It found fixing the pay parity problem would cost about $140 million a year - or one per cent of the total health budget.
Dr McGregor said the cost would be offset by savings in recruitment costs, given the high turnover rate of carers, and fewer hospital admissions due to improved community care.
The report recommended DHBs adopt annually reviewed fair travel policies that covered the actual costs of workers' travel, including vehicle costs and travelling time.
It also recommended a top 10 Cabinet ranking for a minister responsible for older people, and a quality assurance system allowing people to compare care facilities.
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew said the Government took aged care seriously and it would carefully consider the report.
"The challenge for the Government is how best to balance the many competing demands for additional funding in the aged care sector as the population ages,'' she said.
Many recommendations were consistent with current initiatives, such as minimum qualifications requirements, she said.
Ms Goodhew said a new mandatory home and community support sector standard, to be rolled out over the next two years, would bring consistency to care safety, as well as more reliable consumer information on providers.
The report's findings have been backed by health organisations and opposition parties which have been campaigning for change.
Nurses Organisation industrial adviser Rob Haultain welcomed the recommendation for compulsory safety standards.
Safe and professional care depended on minimum staffing levels, fair pay and conditions for workers and a nationally recognised training and education programme, he said.
Home Health Association chief executive Julie Haggie welcomed a review of DHBs' fair travel policies.
Community workers are currently paid about 30c to 33c per kilometre of travel _ under half the rate recommended by Inland Revenue _ with no compensation for travel time except in very exceptional cases.
By comparison, support workers directly employed by DHBs drive pool cars and do not pay petrol costs.
Labour aged care spokesman Kris Faafoi said the aged care sector was "stretched to the limit'' and the Government could no longer turn a blind eye.
"We too often hear horror stories of how our elderly are being treated or neglected and of how those who care for them are being treated.
"It's time for an across the board approach towards an aged care strategy for New Zealand. In fact, it's well overdue.''
Green Party health spokesman Kevin Hague said addressing pay parity issues would go some way to reducing the shortage of qualified workers in the sector.
