FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government is offering a $3 per hour wage top-up for some workers who provide services to vulnerable residents. 

The temporary top-up for workers who make less than $18 per hour is in effect until March 14.  

The wage adjustment is for home support workers, personnel in group homes and homeless shelters, workers in food banks and soup kitchens, and people who provide domestic violence intervention.   

Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch says more than 8,000 workers are eligible for the program, which he says will cost about $8 million.  

He says the application process is similar to the one used by the government during the first months of the pandemic to temporarily increase some wages.

The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is applauding the government for the temporary top-up.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2022.

The Canadian Press