Grey Power applaudeds gov't pay equity package

Press release

Grey Power has applauded the Government’s announcement of a $2 billion package to address the pay inequity in the predominantly female aged care sector.

Grey Power Federation national president Tom O’Connor said the package would address a long standing of underpayment for people who work in the aged care sector.

“This is demanding and difficult work usually and traditionally, but not exclusively, undertaken by women. There was never any justification for people in this essential role to be so poorly paid.”

The package will see more than 55,000 workers receive a minimum pay rise of $4 and hour going up as much as $7 an hour in some cases.

The pay increase will cost the Government more than $2b over the next four years. For the workers, it won't be backdated but will take immediate effect on June 1.

O’Connor said the new pay rates were still not overly generous given the work these people had to do every day but it was a significant and very welcome improvement.

“We have been supporting the aged care sector works for about eight years in the quest for better incomes and we are delighted for them and the elderly people they look after,” he said.

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