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Aged care in this country has relied for too long on the goodwill of an underpaid and insecure workforce .
Push for more pay
HSU secretary Gerard Hayes . Picture : NCA NewsWire / Bianca De Marchi
Union launches ‘ historic ’ aged care work value case .
By Dallas Bastian
Australia ’ s aged care workers are
fighting for a 25 per cent wage increase in a landmark case .
Should the Health Services Union ’ s ( HSU ) “ historic ” work value case bear fruit , all aged care workers ’ pay would rise by at least $ 5 per hour .
The hourly rate for a qualified personal carer would increase from $ 23.09 to $ 28.86 an hour .
The union ’ s NSW branch said : “ These women who provide care and support for the most frail and vulnerable in our community often retire into poverty after a working life in low paid insecure work .
“ It is unacceptable .”
The average carer retires with $ 18,000 in superannuation , HSU claimed .
The union argued aged care workers are just above minimum wage and paid less in some categories than petrol station attendants and supermarket clerks .
Increases in award wages was one of 124 recommendations made by the royal commission lawyers in their final submissions .
In its report , counsel assisting said substantial increases in aged care wages will only happen if all parties – providers , unions and government – work together .
The first part of that process , the lawyers recommended , was a work value case by the Fair Work Commission that examines the terms and conditions in the relevant awards .
In the meantime , they said the Australian Government and provider representative bodies should support a significant increase to the relevant award rates in the 2020 – 21 Annual Wage Review and each subsequent review .
Secretary Gerard Hayes said a significant increase in wages would create more stable and long-term career paths while finally acknowledging the importance of specialist carers in areas like dementia or palliative care .
“ Aged care in this country has relied for too long on the goodwill of an underpaid and insecure workforce of women . It ’ s time for change ,” Hayes said .
“ They should be recognised and paid for their skills . This would be a post-pandemic stimulus package .”
He said a more equitable pay rate for carers would prevent a massive leaking of the workforce , with a recent survey revealing about 40 per cent of all carers would leave the industry after just five years .
“ This pay rise is an issue of justice , but it also goes to the sustainability of the system ,” Hayes said .
“ Four in 10 aged care workers intend to leave the sector within the next five years because they are at breaking point .
“ A workforce crisis is coming unless we see a significant boost to pay .” ■ medication lubricant
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