Caregivers in resthomes have told MPs they deserve better pay and conditions for the work they do.
Members of the Nurses Organisation and the Service and Food Workers Union appeared at Parliament's health select committee on Wednesday in support of a petition signed by more than 11,000 people seeking better pay and staffing in aged residential care.
The unions told MPs fairer pay and conditions are needed in the sector, so it compares more favourably with pay in other areas of health.
Caregivers said insufficient staff in some facilities means they often feel rushed at work, which can cause accidents and limit the time they have available to spend with resthome residents, some of whom don't get visits from family.
Auckland-based caregiver Helen Tangaloa told MPs she always feels rushed on the job because of insufficient staff.
"I would like to sit with my residents to talk, laugh or even cry with them. Some residents have no outside contact, no families. We are their families. We are not paid to be, but we care too much."
Some caregivers told the select committee they receive about $14 an hour - which is not enough for duties that nurses do not have time for.
The Health Ministry told MPs there are challenges in the sector, but they are being addressed and funding has increased by 30% since 2007.
