Pay equity in social work extended

The Government is extending pay equity to an estimated 4600 community sector social workers, meaning ‘‘thousands more workers will be paid fairly’’, Minister for Women Jan Tinetti has announced.

Officials will begin ‘‘a significant piece of work’’ to extend pay equity to community social workers, she said.

It was a ‘‘significant milestone, and would have a large impact on the mostly-female workforce and she hoped it would improve retention and the hiring of staff.

In October, almost 500 social workers employed in five community and iwi organisations reached pay equity with Oranga Tamariki social workers.

Public Service Association national secretary Melissa Woolley said the sector had suffered high rates of staff turnover.