On Wednesday the Unions celebrated a Court of Appeal win that requires disability workers thoughout the country be paid the minimum wage for sleeping over while caring for people with mental disabilities. While, on the face of it, this may seem like a fair decision, I disagree. This decision, estimated by government departments, is expected to cost the tax payer in the vicinity of half a billion dollars. In reality it will be a lot more. During these uncertain economic times New Zealand should only pay for what we can afford.

This decision could have dire consequenses for the tax payer, mental health patients and their families

The tax payer
This decision has set a dangerous presitent. If disability workers are to be paid an hourly rate for 24-hour care, so can other ocupations:

• Doctors and Nurses.
• Teachers on school trips.
• Police on call in isolated areas.
• Security staff
• Ambulance staff

“The money must come from somewhere – the tax payer”.

The patients and their families.
Chief Executive of Idea Services, the services arm of IHC, Ralf Jones says this decision will be “devastating” for those with mental disabilities and their families, and I agree.

Up until now mental heal patients have enjoyed a consistancy of care. This decision will likely cause closures, meaning current IHC employees will lose their jobs and require families of the disabled to move their loved ones to facilities that engage either owner-operators or contractors.

I don’t like to see anyone get a raw deal, but this decision will cost our community much more than the unions realise.

ENDS

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