GEELONG workers have started signing up for an Australia-first program to provide sick leave for casual and contract employees.<\/p>\n
The State Government launched its Sick Pay Guarantee last month, with a pilot scheme offering five days a year of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage for workers in eligible industries.<\/p>\n
Minister for Workplace Safety Ingrid Stitt visited Eastern Hub, East Geelong, this month to meet with disability workers who are entitled to payments under the first phase of the scheme.<\/p>\n
The Minister indicated six per cent of approved claims in the scheme’s first month have gone to Geelong workers.<\/p>\n
Workers in industries including hospitality and food, sales, supermarkets, aged care, cleaners and laundry and security are also eligible for stage one.<\/p>\n
The government says it targeted sectors with high percentages of employees in insecure work.<\/p>\n
The state government has committed $245 million to fund the program for two years.<\/p>\n
A lack of sick pay for casualised workforces became a flashpoint during COVID-19 lockdowns of the past two years, when the virus spread from people who worked multiple jobs or would have been without a major income if isolating due to the virus.<\/p>\n
“We need every worker for the recovery of our economy \u2013 the best way to do that is through secure work,” Ms Stitt said.<\/p>\n
“This scheme will protect more Victorians and give them the support they need so they don’t have to make the choice between a day’s pay and looking after their health.”<\/p>\n
Greater Geelong has 24,000 casual workers according to government figures, representing a quarter of its total labour force.<\/p>\n
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens encouraged local uptake of the guarantee.<\/p>\n
“This scheme will help to keep our community and local businesses safe and healthy. I encourage all eligible casual and contract workers in the greater Geelong area to apply.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GEELONG workers have started signing up for an Australia-first program to provide sick leave for casual and contract employees. The State Government launched its Sick Pay Guarantee last month, with a pilot scheme offering five days a year of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage for workers in eligible industries. Minister for […]<\/p>\n