Women and their children who need to escape domestic violence can still turn to transition houses during the pandemic.
New Brunswick has deemed these shelters and their workers essential under the state of emergency.
Debrah Westerburg, a coordinator with the New Brunswick South Central Transition House and Second Stage Coalition, says some workers are now afraid given the increased health and safety risks.
“We had staff that were reluctant to come to work or couldn’t because of their own health or the health of someone they lived with. So the staff that we’ve had are working longer hours,” she notes.
Westerburg says following protocols like physical distancing has also been challenging.
“Think about a house full of women and kids and they are sharing kitchens, sharing bathrooms and common areas. So shelter staff have had to rearrange… and monitor social distancing.”
Given they are essential, Westerburg says workers have approached the province about a wage increase and are waiting to hear from the premier.
She adds their average wage is currently about $15 per hour but the Coalition for Pay Equity recently said a fair wage would be $24 per hour.
