State Government to cover $13.9 million pay shortfall for community and social services workers
THE State Government will cover a $13.9 million wage shortfall for social and community services workers.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE State Government will cover a $13.9 million wage shortfall for social and community services workers.
The social services industry has reported feeling “squeezed” as it struggles to cope with rising staff costs.
A Fair Work Commission decision last year raised the minimum wage by 3.3 per cent but government funding for the social and community sector remained indexed at two per cent.
MINIMUM WAGE LIFTED FOR STRUGGLING WORKERS
SHORTEN’S BID TO HIKE MINIMUM WAGE ‘ECONOMIC VANDALISM’
Premier Daniel Andrews announced today that the government would cover the 1.3 per cent shortfall — about $13.9 million in 2019-20.
He also promised almost $45 million, if re-elected in November, to continue the funding until 2022.
“For those tireless and dedicated men and women, it’s an overdue and well-deserved wage increase,” Mr Andrews said.
“But I know that for many of the organisations that employ them, it’s yet another pressure on that all important bottom line.
“Because those organisations shouldn’t have to choose between their services and their staff, today I can tell you, we’ll cover the shortfall.”
Our election platform (https://t.co/ndkIpnoXIe) says Victoria needs a massive increase in social and public housing. ðŸ
— VCOSS (@VCOSS) June 12, 2018
But don’t just take our word for it. Listen to David.#GoodLife pic.twitter.com/LM9qtlZCX5
Today’s Victorian Council of Social Service summit served as an opportunity for the Premier, Opposition leader Matthew Guy and the Greens’ Samantha Ratnam to flag promises ahead of November’s election.
Mr Guy promised a two-year pilot of the HomeStretch program, funding 75 places a year, to help young people between ages 18 and 21 transition from state care.
He said about 500 young people left state care each year and that “evidence suggests that hundreds of young people are, in fact, unsupported”.
“This problem is likely to continue or get worse,” Mr Guy said.
“Children under the care of the state are some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Ms Ratnam, the Victorian Greens leader, promised 40,000 new public housing dwellings ahead of the election.
MORE HERALD SUN NEWS:
ALARMING DEMAND FOR MELBOURNE’S PUBLIC HOUSING
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.