UNION MOVEMENT CALLS ON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO
ASSIST WORKING WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2010 (8 MARCH)
ASSIST WORKING WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2010 (8 MARCH)
The Victorian Trades Hall Council is calling on the Victorian Government to lift its game in 2010 with respect to working women.
“Working women in Victoria still face less pay and more stress and bullying in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2010”, said Brian Boyd, Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary on the eve of International Women’s Day
“Victorian women earn on average $223 per week less than men. While in the community services sector, which constitutes more than 80% women, workers are paid around $15,000 per year less than their local and state government counterparts.”
“The Victorian Government should be supporting the current Pay Equity Claim before Fair Work Australia in the community sector, just as Deputy Prime Minister Gillard has.
“As far as health and safety go in the Social and Community sectors, this is a high stress and high compensation claims industry. Workers, typically women, are subject to occupational violence. bullying at work, harassment, stress, sprains and strains and other work related injuries. There is chronic underfunding and chronic overworking, added Mr Boyd.
“To add insult to injury, the Victorian government is set to press ahead in the Parliament with some negative changes to workers compensation laws the day after International Women’s Day. We call on the State Government to think again.
“International Women’s Day would be a good day for the government to shelve these compensation changes, which will make it virtually impossible to have an accepted claim for work related stress.
The VTHC is also calling on the State Government to implement a standard 18 week paid maternity leave which will include continued superannuation payments for the entire period of leave.
“This entitlement should be dealt with in the same manner as any other leave, such as holiday or sick leave”, concluded Mr Boyd.
For further information, please contact:
Brian Boyd, Secretary – 9659 3511 or 0418 587 461
or
Ms Helen Atkinson, 9659 3511
Brian Boyd, Secretary – 9659 3511 or 0418 587 461
or
Ms Helen Atkinson, 9659 3511