Just in case you missed it, last week the SMH had a great, in-depth article looking at the current case for equal pay for community jobs before the Fair Work Australia tribunal. The case has been brought by the Australian Services Union and ACOSS (among others) on behalf of 153,000 of community sector and disability sector workers, almost all of whom are women.
The case alleges that the fact that community sector workers are massively underpaid for the work they do – working for as little as $18 an hour – constitutes gender discrimination.
As the article notes, the federal government hasn’t fully supported the union claim, arguing in a submission to Fair Work Australia last year that it can’t afford to pay community sector workers fairly without blowing out the budget. Following a union outcry, the Workplace Minister Chris Bowen issued a letter which clarified the government’s stance on the case.
The tribunal won’t make it’s final decision for a number of months, so stay tuned!
Community Jobs is sponsored by EthicalJobs.com.au, a job-search site for community jobs, environmental jobs and non-profit jobs around Australia.
Written by admin
Topics: Community Sector Wages