Kaitaia parents fight for lost wages

A Kaitaia couple who cared for their disabled children unpaid for more than 10 years are seeking compensation from the government in the High Court.

Sushila and Royd Butt were not paid by the Ministry of Health for their work as full-time caregivers for their children Ashneel, 26, and Alisha, 23, between 2002 and 2013. The couple said their children, who have the mental ages of 2 and 3, need every- thing done for them, including feeding, clothing and bathing, and require constant supervision.

Until Alisha was prescribed medical marijuana – subsidised by the NDHB – just over two years ago, the couple was spending about three days in hospital every week. ‘‘We’ve had to care for them otherwise they would be put into a residential home,’’ Sushila said.

They are seeking compensation for lost wages in the Auckland High Court. A date has not been set for their day in court, but it has been confirmed by their lawyer from the Office of Human Rights Proceedings. The couple will not say how much money they are seeking in their claim.

Prior to 2013, people living in the same home as disabled family members could not receive payment for caring for them – although unrelated people could. That changed after a Court of Appeal ruling that the policy was discriminatory on the basis of family status. Since 2013, under Funded Family Care, Sushila and Royd have been paid 50 hours a week per child at the minimum wage, which is currently $15.75. Most caregivers are only paid for a maximum of 40 hours, but that was extended to 50 hours in the couple’s case.

The Butts made ends meet with a small horticulture business and support from WINZ while also caring for their children. ‘‘Life was very difficult at that time; it was really stressful,’’ Sushila said.

The couple acknowledged the support workers who cared for the children for a few hours every weekday, but said family caregivers were not recognised in the same way. Sushila said support workers could get paid between $19-27 depending on their qualifications and experience. ‘‘It should be equal pay for equal work.’’

A MOH spokesman says the ministry was unable to comment on the couple’s claim. But he said the ministry was reviewing its current systems and processes.