October 26, 2022
Iwi social workers to get pay hike
Community social workers employed by iwi, kaupapa Māori services and non-government organisations are set for a big pay rise after the Government agreed they should be paid the same as Oranga Tamariki social workers.
Minister for Children Kelvin Davis says it’s an important first step towards addressing the significant gender pay gap for social workers and others who carry out substantially similar work.
The agreement will include $80.56 million over five years for remuneration and indirect costs of settling the claim, with the average full-time worker to receive an increase between $20,000-30,000 on top of their annual salary.
He says addressing pay inequity will make it easier for people to shift between the state sector and NGOs without having to take a salary cut.
This flexibility will further support the sector as decision making will increasingly be made in communities by iwi social services, kaupapa Māori services and NGOs.
The pay equity claim was taken against five representative iwi and community social service organisations – Barnardos, Christchurch Methodist Mission, Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, Stand Tū Māia and Wellington Sexual Abuse Help.