United Voice News
Fair jobs for Australian workers - keeping taxpayers' money out of dodgy bosses' pockets
Cleaners were there when the Federal Government's new Procurement Consultation Committee met for the first time in Sydney this morning.
The Procurement Consultation Committee will advise the Federal Government on procurement of the approximately $24 billion it spends on property and services every year.
Lyndal Ryan, ACT Branch Secretary of LHMU, is one of two ACTU representatives on the six member Committee. Lyndal Ryan says:
"This Committee is part of the Federal Government's commitment to ensure taxpayers' money is not spent on dodgy work practices.
"The Australian Government is in a uniquely powerful position to support fair, cooperative and productive workplaces because of its tremendous spending power.
"The Fair Work Principles and the Australian Government Procurement Statement singled out the contract cleaning industry as having a history of underpayment, exploitation and unsafe work practices.
"It is timely that the first meeting of the Committee is taking place during Anti-Poverty Week because cleaners have been campaigning to end poverty in contract cleaning with the Clean Start fair deal for cleaners campaign.
"Setting clear standards which must be met to be eligible to provide goods and services to the Government is a great step forward for cleaners and for other low paid Australian workers," says Lyndal Ryan.
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Photos
Cleaners with ACTU members of the Procurement Consultation Committee, Lyndal Ryan (Secretary, ACT Branch, LHMU) and Tim Lyons (Assistant Secretary, ACTU).
