United Voice News
Aged care workers tell the Federal Government what their industry needs
LHMU members make up 75% of the aged care workforce, so when it came to putting a submission into the Federal Government, members were in the front row seat.
With an aging population and longer life expectancy the importance of the work done by aged care workers is becoming more obvious and visible to the Australian community.
Just as the need for great quality childcare became obvious during the 1980's and 1990's as mothers began returning to work, the need for great quality aged care is becoming equally obvious as our population ages and we all manage to live longer.
And because of that, the issues that plague the aged care sector are also becoming more obvious.
That's why LHMU aged care workers took the time to put this submission into the Federal Government. In it members raised the four areas that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. They are: the pay of aged care workers, indexation of subsidies, mandatory staff reductions; and staffing ratios in residential aged care facilities.
Members are putting in time and care to make sure older Australians are cared for. This submission makes it clear that members also starting to get active, to work together and demand decent wages and conditions. That way we will have an aged care sector that is resourced to look after everyone's wellbeing.
