Outside court, Ms Lowe said she wasn't sure how Government bodies could "get away with" paying her $3 an hour. Her action wasn't just about her, but also the other 35,000 home care relief workers set to receive up to six years' back pay if the Employment Court decision is upheld. He rejected suggestions the ministry and the DHB were at arm's length from relief care workers, saying the needs of patients were assessed by their assessment committee. Related Content Carers stand to gain big payouts Video Watch: Care workers await Court of Appeal decision over 'subsidy' pay Cartoon: Corporate subterfugeIt was often undertaken by family or friends of those needing intensive care and they would fund the relief respite worker from a "subsidy" paid by the ministry or DHB. The ministry and DHB appealed the decision and the matter was heard in the Court of Appeal at Wellington today, where they argued Ms Lowe wasn't an employee of theirs.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 23, 2016 07:30 UTC