However, the announcement still does not address our call last month for additional payments to workers under enormous strain working to protect older vulnerable people during the COVID Omicron surge.
Aged care providers and unions are resolute in their call on the Prime Minister to do more than a two-payment bonus for overwhelmed aged care workers at nursing homes, and those delivering services out in the community right across the country.
The escalating crisis in aged care due to the Omicron surge has left aged care workers experiencing extraordinary levels of worker stress as they do their very best to meet residents’ needs, while being dangerously understaffed, working double shifts and enduring long hours in personal protective equipment.
Aged care staff are exhausted and burnt out, with many working for days around the clock.
Resignations due to fatigue and feeling undervalued continue to devastate the sector. We need an ongoing COVID-19 payment to be paid on each shift to recognise and incentivise aged care workers.
We need action from the federal government to make sure that aged care workers and services are resourced and enabled better care for and protect older Australians.
This means having a plan for more staff, with better pay and improved skills and qualifications, alongside adequate funding for services to maintain infection protection measures to keep people safe.
Aged care staff are working hard to provide care in very challenging circumstances and with limited resources. They are on the frontline of the fight against COVID, caring for the most vulnerable in our society.
A largely female dominated workforce, they must be appropriately recognised and supported to win this fight.
This joint media release reflects the opinions of the Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC), Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) , Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Health Services Union (HSU), United Workers Union (UWU) and the Australian Workers Union (AWU).
People are already rubbishing the Government for the funding of the Jobkeeper scheme and forget about the bonuses to all on pensions – A debt of Trillion dollars to keep this country going…..of course it’s an election year but I don’t think any government could have pleased everybody.