Personal support workers (PSWs) across Ontario will continue to get a boost as they remain on the front line of the COVID-19 battle.
The government is investing an additional $169-million to extend the temporary wage increase for PSWs. Since the program began in October 2020, it's been extended three times.
Over 158,000 people working in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home and community care, and social service agencies are getting this support. The raise is three dollars per hour for all who work under these categories, except for people in public hospitals, where the increase is two dollars an hour.
"This wage enhancement extension recognizes the vital work and significant sacrifices that personal support workers and direct support workers continue to make to keep Ontarians, including our most vulnerable, safe and healthy," said Ontario Treasury Board President Prabmeet Sarkaria. "We will continue to make historic investments to improve home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals and the social services sector throughout the province as part of our fight against COVID-19."
As Ontario is under the fourth wave of COVID-19, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore last week ordered home health care providers and hospitals to draw up policies on COVID-19 vaccinations to cover employees, staff, volunteers, and students. Policies are also being implemented in other high-risk settings, such as retirement communities, group homes and day programs for those with developmental disabilities, and services for special-needs children.
The wage increase extension is good through October 31, at which time another review will take place to see if another extension is needed.
