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Fair work , fair pay
Govt moves to fund pay rise for aged care nurses
The federal government has pledged to fund a pay rise for Australia ’ s aged care nurses and workers , a move that peak unions said recognises the efforts of a “ chronically undervalued ” workforce .
Labor filed a revised submission to the Fair Work Commission ( FWC ) supporting a wage increase but did not nominate a set figure .
Aged care Minister Anika Wells said that nurses and carers deserved a “ meaningful ” increase .
“ That is for the commissioners to decide exactly what percentage the work-value cases were ,” Wells said .
“ But we have agreed that we will fund it no matter what the decision .”
The FWC is currently considering a 25 per cent wage rise after the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ( ANMF ) and the Health Services Union launched a historic aged care work value case in 2020 .
ANMF federal secretary Annie Butler said a “ long-awaited ” wage rise would allow nurses and care workers to be recruited and retained in an under-resourced sector .
“ The nature of the work required across the aged care sector has developed considerably over the years and become significantly more complex ,” Butler said .
“ We welcome the government ’ s agreement that current award rates do not adequately reflect the value of aged care workers .
“ Particularly in light of their extraordinary efforts over the last 30 months of the COVID-pandemic , which has already claimed the lives of more than 3,000 elderly Australians .”
If the AMNF campaign is successful , all aged care nurses and workers could see a minimum wage increase of at least $ 5 per hour .
The hourly rate for a qualified personal carer would rise from $ 23.09 to $ 28.86 .
Union representatives and government figures are due to be heard by the FWC later this month .
Lifting sector wages was one of 148 recommendations handed down in the final report of the Aged Care Royal Commission . ■
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05.09.2022
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