United Voice News
Privatisation of government assets was not the only issue discussed at the recent ALP state conference. The LHMU also achieved a very significant Labor Party policy amendment.
The LHMU was successful in obtaining a policy amendment recognising the value of Home Care workers and more importantly proposes specific policy ideas to improve their capacity to deliver care.
Some Home Care workers are currently only working 16 hours a week, while new workers are being emoployed at four and eight hours a week, based on the needs of clients who require care.
Workers who need the extra income can not acquire the additional hours, left struggling to pay for necessities.
Instead of securing quality jobs, they are left struggling on less than $500 per week.
The LHMU policy amendments seeks to change that.
The policy amendment supports the LHMU's ongoing efforts to improve the conditions of Home Care workers in Queensland Health.
It includes provisions for better paying jobs through maximising employment hours, the opportunity for skill improvements and a call for an increase in funding from the federal government.
As well as receiving support from the ALP conference floor, the policy changes also received the endorsement of Minister for Health, Paul Lucas.
The policy change is a big step forward for LHMU Home Care members, who just a few years ago, were fighting the threat of privatisation.
Now, they are pushing a policy agenda forward to the state government in a proactive way.
