The myHomecare group was featured in the Aged Care News’ article ‘Providers, unions, politicians provide perspectives on Govt push for meaningful worker pay rises.‘
The CEO of The myHomecare Group touches on the importance of doing more to support aged care workers.
For a summary of the article read on.
An application for a significant and meaningful wage increase has been made by the Federal Government for aged care workers.
The Fair Work Commission is determining whether to finally lift pay rates for the aged care sector.
Putting personal care workers at a rate of $23.55 per hour and qualified personal care workers earning $24.76.
A diminishing workforce needs a wage increase.
During a visit to the aged care offices, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles told reporters that a pay rise is essential.
“We’ve got a real issue in retaining and encouraging people to work in aged care,” Marles said.
According to the Government, a 25% wage increase could boost the labour supply in the sector significantly by up to 10%.
Stuart Miller, CEO of Australia’s largest Home Care Package Provider The myHomecare Group, welcomed the move towards increased pay for his staff but said more needed to be done.
He mentioned how aged care budgets should be increased as they have declined generally over the last year.
“MyHomecare is fully supportive of a substantial increase to both recognise our hard-working Homecare staff,” Miller said.
Miller warned that a wage increase without equally increasing package funding will minimise the total care time available for elders.
“Less care for clients means poor health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” he said.
Miller’s comments were echoed by the Federal Opposition, which said the pay rise could lead to service compromises.
Shadow minister for infrastructure and transport, Bridget McKenzie, told Sky News on Tuesday afternoon that the Coalition will respect the decision made by the independent Fair Work Commission.
“The Fair Work Commission will bring down their finding and we will absolutely support that,” she said.
Additionally, to find out more about the Fair Work Commission’s work value case in the aged care industry, click here.
If you would like to read this article in full, click here.
