United Voice News
Productivity Commission's draft report on disabilities does little for workforce
United Voice WA welcomes the Productivity Commission’s calls for a national disability insurance scheme but says its draft report does little to address the poverty wages in the disabilities sector.
Kelly Shay, assistant secretary of United Voice WA said: “Despite saying that an insurance scheme will see an expansion in the workforce, the report does not advocate a sufficient wage for this growing army of disability care workers.
“There are disability care workers right now who are struggling to support themselves and their families on wages of around $17 an hour. These people do valuable and important work and it was time they were properly paid.
“How can we expect to retain the most skilled and experienced members of this workforce – the very people who provide the best care to the most vulnerable members of society - if they can barely afford to pay their bills on their wages?
“Their contribution needs to be properly recognised and we were hoping the commission’s draft report would make more provision for this.
“It is also disappointing to note that in its recommendations on vouchers and flexible arrangements for people with disabilities directly employing their carers, the commission makes very little consideration for the workforce.
“The direct employment of care workers may be empowering to people with disabilities, however if not structured carefully they can also have the effect of disempowering the paid workforce.
“We hope the final draft of the Commission’s report goes some way to addressing our members’ concerns.”
