UnitingCare Australia welcomes legislation to secure pay rise for social and community sector workers

UnitingCare Australia’s National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds has said some of Australia’s lowest paid workers can now look forward to equitable wages for the essential work they do.

The Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 will increase the pay of 150,000 social and community services workers over the next eight years.

Speaking shortly after the passage of the legislation through the Senate today, Ms Hatfield Dodds congratulated the Government on its leadership and called on a similar commitment from the states and territories to fund their share of the pay increase.

Ms Hatfield Dodds also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Australian Greens to the successful passage of the legislation.

“Fair Work Australia handed down its historic equal remuneration decision earlier this year and this legislation is testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to that decision,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“Funding this important claim must not come at the expense of vital social services.

“People who work in community services are highly valued by the people they care for, by families, communities and by their employers.”

Ms Hatfield Dodds said, “With a similar commitment from the states and territories the pay increases will be adequately and equitably funded so vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians get access to the services they need.”

The UnitingCare network provides social services to over two million people each year in 1,300 sites in remote, rural and metropolitan Australia. UnitingCare employs 35,000 staff and 24,000 volunteers.