Nurses and midwives in Tasmania are facing delays in receiving payments for their N95 mask allowance, prompting the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) to call on the state government to take urgent action.
ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said that despite the allowance agreement being in place for almost 10 months, most members have yet to receive back pay for the times they have worn N95 masks.
“While our members have been patient and understanding regarding initial delays, the situation has now become untenable,” Shepherd said.
“This is adding salt to the wound and contributing to feelings of being undervalued and low morale among our members,” she said.
“Many have had to wear N95 masks for entire shifts, long after the general community has moved on from such precautions.”
“Yet, they find themselves in a position where their hard-won entitlements are still not paid.”
The ANMF has written to the Department of Health, demanding that back payments be issued in full within the next 14 days or a dispute will be lodged with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.
Minister Michael Ferguson said Health Minister Guy Barnett had “intervened” to resolve the payment delays.
“The government’s position is that we are funding the extra allowance,” he said.
“So we want to see it being received by the people who are entitled to it. And we expect it to be sorted out ASAP.”
