Released 25/07/2017
Aged care and waste management workers will now be eligible for portable long service leave after the ACT Legislative Assembly today supported an extension of the Long Service Leave (portable schemes) Act 2009, tabled by Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Mick Gentleman.
“Although long service leave has applied to most employees since the review of the National Employment Standards in 2010, workers in industries with high levels of short-term employment have been disadvantaged having to work for just one employer to be eligible for long service leave,” Minister Gentleman said.
One in five workers in Australia have been with their current employer for less than one year, and three out of four will work for their current employer for less than the 10 years required to attain long service leave. This means there is an erosion of leave entitlements overall.
“With the support of the Long Service Leave (Portable Schemes) Amendment bill 2016, we can ensure Canberrans employed in industries characterised by short-term employment, contract work, high-mobility, and part-time and casual employment are recognised for their hard work.
“It is about creating a fairer system, promoting workplace rights and facilitating sustainable career paths. Aged care workers earn $43,000 on average for back breaking, emotional work. This legislation provides them with a hard earned break every 5 years. This scheme also benefits the general community by attracting workers to the aged care industry, given the ACT’s aging population” Minister Gentleman added.
The Bill removes inequalities by extending the existing schemes covering the community and contract cleaning industries to the aged care and waste management sectors. With the new rules, around 5,900 more Canberrans will be able to accrue long service leave, many of which receive a low average salary.
The Bill also makes provisions to allow the Long Service Leave Authority Governing Board to make minor adjustments to employer levels to meet the prevailing economic circumstances of covered industries.
Ongoing engagement with stakeholders will be undertaken to ensure a smooth transition for employers and workers. This follows a formal consultation process with unions, employers, community groups and industry associations that took place prior to the introduction of the Bill.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases