Government supporting rate increase for home support

Julie Bettney, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today government is committing $2.7 million annually to enable home support clients and agencies to increase the wages of home support workers by four per cent. This is the second consecutive year government has increased its support of the home support program to provide wage increases for home support workers.

"When government supported the rate increase in Budget 2001, we ensured the lowest paid workers received a 20 per cent wage increase. For many home support workers, that meant their hourly wage went from $5.84 to $7.01 an hour," said Minister Bettney. "Government�s commitment in Budget 2002 will mean the four per cent wage increase will be given to all home support workers."

Minister Bettney said the funding announced in this year�s budget demonstrates government�s commitment to assist employers to address the issue of compensation for home support workers. This year�s contribution will mean government has contributed $10.1 million in the current and coming years to support employers to provide the wage increases. The increase will be passed on to the home support workers in two installments - two per cent on June 1, 2002, and the remaining two per cent on December 1, 2002.

"Home support workers provide a valuable service to clients and their families," said Minister Bettney. "We believe our commitment to home support workers will help stabilize the workforce."

Government estimates there are approximately 6,000 home support workers in the province. Approximately 80 per cent of these workers are hired directly by the people requiring the care and the other 20 per cent work for agencies. The home support workers provide services to some 3,400 people, mostly seniors and the mentally and physically challenged.

"Government will spend more than $60 million on the home support program this coming year," said Minister Bettney. "Since 1997, government has increased its funding by approximately 60 per cent in this program area."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2002 03 21                             3:10 p.m.