Media Release - Historic fair pay decision for low paid workers
Date published :
1
February
2012
Prime Minister
Minister for Employment and
Workplace Relations
1 Feb 2012
150,000 of Australia's lowest paid
workers will benefit from substantial pay rises of between 23 and
45 percent as a result of Fair Work Australia's historic pay equity
decision today. 120,000 of these Social and Community Sector
workers are women - working in difficult jobs often described as
"caring" jobs, including working with people with disabilities,
counselling families in crisis, running homeless shelters and
working with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. This
Labor Government allowed the case to be brought to the independent
umpire through our introduction of the Fair Work Act and the
ability to seek gender equity in rates of pay, and supported the
application that was brought. This is a very significant pay rise
that will make a real difference to these workers and their
families. It is also the first ever successful pay equity claim in
the national system, and a significant advance for equal pay for
women. Noting that the increases will be phased in over 8 years
from 1 December 2012, we are absolutely committed to providing the
Commonwealth's share of the funding needed to pay the higher rates
of pay Fair Work Australia has awarded.
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