Filipino caregivers appeal to keep jobs
PHILIPPINES – More than a hundred caregivers picketed government offices during a one-day protest action against budget cuts in San Mateo County.
The caregivers, who care for the elderly and disabled in their own homes, are paid by the government through the In-Home Supportive Services.
Most of the 3,000 caregivers in San Mateo County care for their own family members, for which they get paid $11 an hour.
But a $90-million budget deficit has forced government officials to consider cutting the caregivers’ salary from $11 to $8 an hour.
“Our job does not only require us to care for the sick and disabled. We also cook for them, clean for them, make sure they have their medicines. $8 an hour is not enough for the kind of work that we do,” Fe Astero said.
Protesting caregivers said it’s not fair that San Mateo County officials are willing to pay high-priced consultants up to $80 million, and yet propose to slash their already low salaries.
“It’s not right. We help our patients. But the government does not want to help us,” complained Juliet Castillo.
Protesters said it will only cost San Mateo County $3 million to keep their salary at $11 until 2012. They added the county can afford this because it has a rainy day fund worth $200 million.
“What they’re giving us is already not enough. But we’re just asking for them to keep our salary at $11 because we understand the economic crisis. They need to meet us halfway,” Dan Olarte said.
Filipino caregivers said they would be forced to look for other jobs if their salaries get cut.
The cuts could also displace about 4,000 elderly and disabled patients. It would cost taxpayers $55,000 per patient who gets care in a facility, five times more expensive than in-home care.
Caroline Valle, a former caregiver and now a representative for the caregivers’ union, pointed out: “It does not make sense for government officials to cut the caregivers’ salary when these caregivers save taxpayers’ money. California will just end up with more debt if they keep cutting in-home care.”
If negotiations fail with San Mateo County officials, the caregivers’ salaries could get cut within the month.
Source: PhilNurse
