Doug Ford, Prime Minister announced that he is committed to maintaining an increase in wages introduced for personal support workers during the global pandemic.
The Prime Minister said it’s a “guarantee” that his government will keep the temporary $3 per hour wage bump for the workers who staff long-term care homes and similar facilities.
I’ve always said folks, PSWs are overworked, underpaid, and make every single penny times 10. So we’ll keep that. That’s guarantee. We will do it.”
Ford made these comments during a funding announcement in North Bay, Ontario, but did not give further details.
Ford’s office declined to comment or elaborate on whether the temporary pay bump would be extended further or made permanent, or there was any full wage increase plan in the offing.
A temporary $3 wage increase for personal support workers that was introduced during the pandemic was extended until Aug. 23.
The pay bump has been in place since October last year, affecting more than 158,000 workers in home care, long-term care, public hospitals and social services.
Announcing the final extension in June, officials said the temporary hike of $ 2 or $ 3 an hour will “help stabilize, attract and retain the workforce needed to maintain high levels of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
