"Sleep Over" (Caregivers) Employees' Payments

The Court of Appeal has ruled that disability support staff are working when they do the sleepover shifts and must be paid the minimum wage for every hour they are there.

The decision follows a legal challenge by IHC to an earlier Employment Court ruling.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the ruling will have significant financial ramifications.

It is estimated the cost of back-pay for workers and paying them correctly from now will run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Hundreds of workers have lodged similar court action against their employers, supported by their unions.

IHC says it will not comment until it has given full consideration to the ruling.