Latest news with #PSW
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Heavy workloads, high stress, low wages driving PSWs out of profession, report says
TORONTO - Five years ago, Nilmini Senewiratne was only getting part-time hours, no benefits and had to rush from client to client in her job as a personal support worker. Senewiratne was able to live on 30-hours-a-week wages because she was single and had brought savings from Sri Lanka when she came to Canada, but she watched her co-workers struggle as they held down multiple PSW jobs to make ends meet while raising their families. For her, one of the biggest stressors was not having a manager who would respond when she needed guidance on dealing with issues — from administering medication to concerns about clients' living conditions — that arose while providing care to seniors in their homes. 'We are the eyes and ears of the clients we go to,' said Senewiratne, a 52-year-old living in Mississauga, Ont. 'If you don't have good management behind us helping us it is very difficult.' Senewiratne says life improved dramatically for her and her co-workers when new management took over Nucleus Independent Living about five years ago. They gave their PSWs full-time hours, benefits and capped the driving distance between clients at 10 km so staff wouldn't constantly stress about being late, she said. They also provide more training and management has an 'open door policy' to address workers' questions and concerns, Senewiratne said. Her before-and-after experiences illustrate key steps government, home-care agencies and long-term care homes can take to help PSWs, said Nevena Dragicevic, lead author of a report called 'Revaluing Personal Support Work in Canada,' released Wednesday. The report from the CSA Public Policy Centre, which offers solutions to health, social, economic and environmental challenges, found many Canadian PSWs reported heavy workloads, high emotional stress, low wages and lack of security in their jobs. The findings are based on the results of an online survey of 380 current and former PSWs conducted in March and April 2024 by research company RKI, as well as input from focus groups. The survey found 72 per cent of respondents had experienced burnout 'at least a few times a month' and 68 per cent regularly suffered from anxiety. Low pay and lack of job security was another key issue, said Dragicevic, noting workers in community and home-care settings typically earn less than those in hospitals or long-term care homes. About 47 per cent of the PSWs surveyed said they were 'mostly making ends meet.' Another 16 per cent said they weren't sure how they were going to pay bills and had debt that would 'take a long time to pay off.' Sixty-three per cent of the PSWs surveyed had either left or seriously considered leaving their jobs in the last two years. But at the same time, 86 per cent of respondents said their work was satisfying and meaningful. Those seemingly conflicting results show PSWs like helping their clients but are 'ground down' by difficult conditions and feel undervalued, said Dragicevic, who is the manager of the CSA Public Policy Centre. 'This isn't a workforce that's lacking passion, but it is a workforce that is being pushed beyond its limits,' she said. '(PSWs feel) fulfilment around being with clients and with patients and helping them and seeing them progress and get better, or also being with them at really critical and difficult moments in their life.' More than half of the survey respondents said the emotional toll of witnessing patients declining was one of the toughest parts of being a PSW. They also cited the physical demands of the job, as well as safety risks such as exposure to infectious diseases and workplace violence as significant challenges. But most of the PSWs surveyed didn't feel supported in dealing with all these issues. 'Only about a third said that they had supportive supervisors and leadership,' Dragicevic said. '(Others) talked about there being a disconnect between what PSWs are experiencing on the job and how that's being recognized and managed by their supervisors.' A lack of training on working with clients who have dementia is another significant issue that needs to be addressed, she said. 'It's not really part of the core curriculum that PSWs have,' Dragicevic said, noting that the education PSWs get before they join the workforce should be consistent across the country. As the population ages, personal support work is more critical than ever, the report said. But the survey and focus group results show that the 'compounding issues' PSWs struggle with will drive many out of the profession and discourage others from joining, 'perpetuating a vicious cycle of deteriorating working conditions and labour shortages.' Some provinces, including Ontario, have made positive strides in recruiting PSWs, including programs such as subsidized tuition, Dragicevic said. But there's a lot of work to be done on the retention side of the equation, she said. 'I think there just needs to be a little bit more focus on how do we create healthy workplaces and also, of course, compensate people fairly for the work that an aging society is increasingly coming to rely on.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Heavy workloads, high stress, low wages driving PSWs out of profession, report says
TORONTO – Five years ago, Nilmini Senewiratne was only getting part-time hours, no benefits and had to rush from client to client in her job as a personal support worker. Senewiratne was able to live on 30-hours-a-week wages because she was single and had brought savings from Sri Lanka when she came to Canada, but she watched her co-workers struggle as they held down multiple PSW jobs to make ends meet while raising their families. For her, one of the biggest stressors was not having a manager who would respond when she needed guidance on dealing with issues — from administering medication to concerns about clients' living conditions — that arose while providing care to seniors in their homes. 'We are the eyes and ears of the clients we go to,' said Senewiratne, a 52-year-old living in Mississauga, Ont. 'If you don't have good management behind us helping us it is very difficult.' Senewiratne says life improved dramatically for her and her co-workers when new management took over Nucleus Independent Living about five years ago. They gave their PSWs full-time hours, benefits and capped the driving distance between clients at 10 km so staff wouldn't constantly stress about being late, she said. They also provide more training and management has an 'open door policy' to address workers' questions and concerns, Senewiratne said. Her before-and-after experiences illustrate key steps government, home-care agencies and long-term care homes can take to help PSWs, said Nevena Dragicevic, lead author of a report called 'Revaluing Personal Support Work in Canada,' released Wednesday. The report from the CSA Public Policy Centre, which offers solutions to health, social, economic and environmental challenges, found many Canadian PSWs reported heavy workloads, high emotional stress, low wages and lack of security in their jobs. The findings are based on the results of an online survey of 380 current and former PSWs conducted in March and April 2024 by research company RKI, as well as input from focus groups. The survey found 72 per cent of respondents had experienced burnout 'at least a few times a month' and 68 per cent regularly suffered from anxiety. Low pay and lack of job security was another key issue, said Dragicevic, noting workers in community and home-care settings typically earn less than those in hospitals or long-term care homes. About 47 per cent of the PSWs surveyed said they were 'mostly making ends meet.' Another 16 per cent said they weren't sure how they were going to pay bills and had debt that would 'take a long time to pay off.' Sixty-three per cent of the PSWs surveyed had either left or seriously considered leaving their jobs in the last two years. But at the same time, 86 per cent of respondents said their work was satisfying and meaningful. Those seemingly conflicting results show PSWs like helping their clients but are 'ground down' by difficult conditions and feel undervalued, said Dragicevic, who is the manager of the CSA Public Policy Centre. 'This isn't a workforce that's lacking passion, but it is a workforce that is being pushed beyond its limits,' she said. '(PSWs feel) fulfilment around being with clients and with patients and helping them and seeing them progress and get better, or also being with them at really critical and difficult moments in their life.' More than half of the survey respondents said the emotional toll of witnessing patients declining was one of the toughest parts of being a PSW. They also cited the physical demands of the job, as well as safety risks such as exposure to infectious diseases and workplace violence as significant challenges. But most of the PSWs surveyed didn't feel supported in dealing with all these issues. 'Only about a third said that they had supportive supervisors and leadership,' Dragicevic said. '(Others) talked about there being a disconnect between what PSWs are experiencing on the job and how that's being recognized and managed by their supervisors.' A lack of training on working with clients who have dementia is another significant issue that needs to be addressed, she said. 'It's not really part of the core curriculum that PSWs have,' Dragicevic said, noting that the education PSWs get before they join the workforce should be consistent across the country. As the population ages, personal support work is more critical than ever, the report said. But the survey and focus group results show that the 'compounding issues' PSWs struggle with will drive many out of the profession and discourage others from joining, 'perpetuating a vicious cycle of deteriorating working conditions and labour shortages.' Some provinces, including Ontario, have made positive strides in recruiting PSWs, including programs such as subsidized tuition, Dragicevic said. But there's a lot of work to be done on the retention side of the equation, she said. 'I think there just needs to be a little bit more focus on how do we create healthy workplaces and also, of course, compensate people fairly for the work that an aging society is increasingly coming to rely on.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Exporters in PSW system: SBP amends ‘undertaking' for payments via ADs
KARACHI: In light of evolving business dynamics and recent system upgrades, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has amended the undertaking/declaration required from exporters in the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) system for receipt of payments through authorized dealers (ADs). As per instructions contained in Para 5(ii) and 15B(ii) of Chapter 12 (Exports) of Foreign Exchange Manual, whereby exporters of goods are required to file Undertaking/Declaration in PSW system for receipt of payments through an AD, as prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan. The undertaking/declaration for exports were earlier part of the Manual E-Form/Electronic Form-E (EFE). Now, considering the evolving business dynamics and system upgradations, the SBP has decided to amend the Undertaking/Declaration and accordingly the new format has been issued. PSW designated as FBR's technology partner for WeBOC System The SBP has advised ADs to obtain the revised Undertaking/Declaration from the exporters through the PSW system at the time of initiating their respective export transactions. Further, to mitigate any potential legal risks, ADs may obtain the revised Undertaking/Declaration duly signed by Exporters in manual form as well. ADs are also directed to bring these instructions to the notice of all their constituents and ensure meticulous compliance. The SBP has issued the following revised undertaking/declaration: An incorrect declaration constitutes an offence under Pakistan Penal Code 1860, Foreign ExchangeRegulation Act, 1947 (VII of 1947), Customs Act 1969, and Anti Money Laundering Act 2010. I/We, hereby declare that I/We am/are the sellers/consignors/exporters of the goods described herein in respect of which this declaration is made out and that the particulars given in the Financial Instruments are true and that the invoice value declared in the Financial Instruments in case of firm contracts is full value as contracted with the buyers/in case of consignment sale is a fair value of goods which are being shipped on consignment sale. I/We undertake that I/we shall deliver to the AD the foreign exchange proceeds resulting from the export of these goods, on the due date as per contractual maturity or within such time period as maybe prescribed by State Bank of Pakistan, from the date of shipment/dispatch whichever is earlier. In the event of consignment sale, we undertake to furnish to the AD a fully documented account sale certified by the consignees /Chamber of Commerce of the country of import or any other documents required by the State Bank of Pakistan. I/We declare that nothing material or relevant to the information has been omitted or suppressed and whatever is stated herein is true to my/our knowledge and belief. I/We undertake to submit to the AD within fourteen days of shipment, the documents for negotiation/for sending on collection. I/We hereby expressly authorize the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to share my/our outstanding overdue information with ADs/ banks, for the purpose of conducting due diligence related to my/our export activities (Irrespective of the fact whether the same is challenged before a Court or otherwise).I/We also permit the ADs/banks to access my/our outstanding overdue information available on the Exporter's Information Portal (EIP) maintained by SBP. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Journals
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Pennsylvania American Water scores award-winning water quality
'The City of Champions' understands better than anyone what it means to win — to go above and beyond and best your field. For the highly regulated private water industry, our so-called Super Bowl is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Partnership for Safe Water (PSW) award. According to the American Water Works Association, this distinction is given when 'award-winning utilities demonstrate an outstanding commitment to delivering superior quality drinking water to customers. Utilities that subscribe to the PSW provide high-quality water to customers, even beyond regulatory requirements.' In short, awards are given when water companies like ours consistently surpass federal and state drinking water standards. While the Steelers are chasing what would be a league record-setting eighth Super Bowl, Pennsylvania American Water has quietly built a dynasty of its own on behalf of our 2.4 million customers across Pennsylvania. This year, the EPA honored 21 of our water treatment plants statewide with Partnership for Safe Water awards. Among these, 19 plants have maintained this high level of service for 25 years or more. Additionally, 33 of Pennsylvania American Water's water treatment plants across the state have been nationally recognized with Partnership for Safe Water Directors Awards for our long-term commitment to optimizing operations, achieving outstanding performance and protecting public health and the environment. That means Pennsylvania American Water has received more Directors Awards than any other water utility in the nation. If water quality had a Hall of Fame, we'd be first-ballot inductees. But rest assured, we are laser-focused on breaking our own records, which means working each and every day to hold ourselves to high standards in delivering safe, reliable drinking water service to our customers. What does it take to win one of these awards? A lot more than pipes and pumps. Earning the EPA's gold standard means voluntarily signing up for an intensive self-assessment process. Water companies comb through every part of their systems, looking for anything that could impact performance, no matter how small. From tightening treatment protocols to investing in new tech that targets microscopic threats like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, the goal is clear: protect public health at every turn. As a result, we can demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in the performance of treatment facilities to help protect the health of our customers. Members of this year's championship team from right here in the Steel City region have all received Directors Awards for the past 25 years and include: Alrich Water Treatment Plant Butler Water Treatment Plant Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant Elwood City Water Treatment Plant New Castle Water Treatment Plant Kittanning Water Treatment Plant And behind those plants are teams as dedicated as any offensive line — our team consists of industry-leading researchers, scientists, water quality specialists and plant operators working non-stop to deliver on our commitment to high-quality water. In fact, we test for more than 90 regulated contaminants as required by the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help ensure your water is water you can trust. And that trust doesn't just happen by accident, it takes investment — and plenty of it. Last year, we invested $675 million to upgrade our water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems in our communities across Pennsylvania. Our expertise is supported by our ability to make investments to efficiently modernize the state's aging water and wastewater infrastructure, upgrading treatment plants and metering systems, and using cutting-edge tech to catch problems before they start. These investments have allowed us to improve our customers' water quality, water pressure, and service reliability. Even as the cost of providing water service continues to increase across the country, our investments help us provide high-quality water service that remains an exceptional value for such an essential service. You can see the results for yourself in our annual water quality reports, also known as Consumer Confidence Reports. These reports break down exactly what's in your water (and what's not) and are available at Whether you live in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence or Washington County, we hope our commitment is clear: we take pride in delivering 'winning' water quality for our customers and hope that our passion for water shines through.
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘ST imposition under EFS will sabotage export industry'
FAISALABAD: Addressing at a press conference, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), Hazar Khan, warned that the imposition of sales tax at the import stage under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) will sabotage the export industry. He cautioned that the government's move to impose sales tax at the import stage within the EFS framework would be another severe blow to apparel and textile exporters, who are already under immense financial pressure. He emphasised that the collection and refund process of sales tax is not only inefficient but also provides opportunities for corruption through fake refunds, while genuine exporters face long delays in getting their refunds. The value-added textile sector strongly believes that the EFS should be continued in its original form as it existed prior to Budget 2024-25, to ensure liquidity and transparency in the value chain. This stance is also supported by the inter-ministerial committee, led by the federal minister for Planning, under the directives of the prime minister. Chaudhry Salamat Ali, Group Leader of PHMA, stated that the EFS was developed through consultation with stakeholders and has streamlined, digitised, and improved the efficiency of the export process. Fully automated under WeBOC and PSW systems, the scheme has provided financial relief to exporters. He highlighted that APTMA is using outdated machinery with poor quality and high costs, while value-added garment production requires yarn that meets international standards. The government allowed yarn imports under EFS, which is a key reason for the increase in exports. Arif Ihsan Malik, former Chairman of APBUMA, mentioned that duty-free yarn imports have long been allowed under various SROs, similar to policies followed by Bangladesh, Vietnam, and other countries. He refuted APTMA's claim that 100 of their mills have shut down, calling it baseless and demanding that they share accurate data with the media. He also advocated for allowing commercial importers to bring in yarn under EFS so that small and medium-sized exporters can benefit as well. Mian Kashif Zia, former chairman of PHMA, said that the apparel industries in Bangladesh and Vietnam also rely on imported raw materials and their governments run similar facilitation schemes. Imposing sales tax under EFS would defeat its core purpose. Mian Farrukh Iqbal, former Chairman of PHMA, stated that the government has set a $60 billion export target under the 'Uraan' programme, which will be at risk if the EFS is withdrawn. He further claimed that APTMA produces substandard yarn which fails to meet international expectations, thus compromising the quality of garments made from it. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
