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Temporary wage increase for support workers extended until August

Increase was set to expire on June 30
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Personal support workers (PSWs) will see their temporary wage increase extended to Aug. 23, 2021.

Originally announced in October 2020, $461 million allocated to enhance wages for PSWs and direct support workers was an effort to "stabilize, attract and retain the workforce needed to provide a high level of care during the COVID-19 pandemic," according to a media release issued by the provincial government.

The province has been providing a temporary wage increase since Oct. 1, 2020, to over 158,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services, including:

  • $3 per hour for approximately 38,000 eligible workers in home and community care;
  • $3 per hour for approximately 50,000 eligible workers in long-term care;
  • $2 per hour for approximately 10,000 eligible workers in public hospitals; and
  • $3 per hour for approximately 60,000 eligible workers in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services for the activities of daily living.

The wage increase was extended on March 18 and was slated to expire on June 30. It will now run until Aug. 23 when it will be re-evaluated by the provincial government.