Finally: Fair wages for important work
10/11/2011
Kelly Vincent MLC welcomes Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement that social sector workers will be awarded a pay rise.
The historic decision, which was announced this morning, will mean disability services workers are paid more – bringing them closer to the average Australian wage.
Ms Gillard’s announcement comes after a Fair Work Australia decision which showed that workers in the sector were paid less than average wages because the industry is dominated by women.
“For too long the people who do some of the most important jobs and some of the hardest work in our country, the people who care for those who need help, have been paid less than a bartender,” said Ms Vincent.
“This pay rise will draw more people into the sector and encourage workers to stay in the industry and develop their skills. This is good for disability support workers, and good for people with disabilities who will see an improvement in the quality of services”
The Federal Government will support a wage rise of about $12,000 per year for each worker.
The wage rise is to be implemented next year and will be fully phased in over six years.
“We must be vigilant that government does not attempt to spread the dollar more thinly to avoid properly supporting this wage rise,” said Ms Vincent. “All levels of Government must stump up the money which these workers deserve. Any agency which attempts to simply employ less staff rather than fully finance this wage rise should be vilified for not caring about workers or the community.”
Ms Vincent is also concerned that the wage rise is still a long way from becoming a reality.
“We need to move quickly on this issue as good workers are leaving the disability services industry in droves, attracted by fairer wages offered in other sectors. The Government should be congratulated for this decision, but pressure must be applied to make them see the urgency of the situation.”
“I am hopeful this announcement will also help advance the fight for pay equity for the female gender as a whole. It is ridiculous that we are still having this debate, so I welcome all measures to close the pay gap.
