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Home >News >Media release: Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee a win for insecure workers.

Media release: Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee a win for insecure workers.

2022-03-16

 
The Health and Community Services Union welcomes the Andrews Government’s announcement of a trial of five days' sick pay for people in casual and insecure work — with disability care being selected as one of the industries to be included in phase one of this pilot program.

 

Many disability workers in casual or contract jobs have zero access to paid sick and carer’s leave. As we’ve seen rising casualisation, as well as the ‘uberisation’ of the disability sector, this lack of leave has become a pressing issue impacting both workers and the people they support.

 

Casualisation, and the subsequent erosion of rights and conditions, is an issue that needs to be addressed on a federal level — this new initiative is the Victorian Government taking action, at a time when the Morrison Government is continues to be missing in action.

 

For years, we have seen casual and contract workers put their job—or jobs—above their own health, in order to be able to pay the bills. Workers have had to choose between caring for unwell family or earning a day’s wages to support their family. 

 

This trial will go a long way to bolstering financial security for insecure workers, as well as preventing workplace transmission of illness. As we have seen over the last two years, sick leave is not only important for workers’ financial stability but also for public health.

 

The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee is a much-welcomed initiative, that will change the lives of thousands of workers. 
HACSU stands in full support of this vital industrial reform.
 
Media Contact: Stephanie Thuesen, 0436 363 612 or stephaniet@hacsu.asn.au