150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers will benefit from substantial pay rises of between 23 and 45 percent as a result of Fair Work Australia’s historic pay equity decision, Senator for Queensland Mark Furner said.

 “This is a very significant pay rise that will make a real difference to these workers and their families,” Senator Furner said.

 “It is also the first ever successful pay equity claim in the national system and a significant advance for equal pay for women.”

 120,000 of these Social and Community Sector workers are women – working in difficult jobs often described as “caring” jobs, including working with people with disabilities, counselling families in crisis, running homeless shelters and working with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

 The Gillard Labor Government allowed the case to be brought to the independent umpire through our introduction of the Fair Work Act and the ability to seek gender equity in rates of pay, and supported the application that was brought.

 Noting that the increases will be phased in over eight years from 1 December 2012, the Gillard Labor Government is absolutely committed to providing the Commonwealth’s share of the funding needed to pay the higher rates of pay Fair Work Australia has awarded.

 The Australian Services Union and other unions involved on achieving this historic advancement for gender pay justice for workers in the social community services sector deserve thorough congratulations for their contribution to this cause.

 “These are workers who make a difference every day for the most vulnerable in our community and deserve to be properly rewarded for their efforts,” Senator Furner said.

 “Properly valuing caring work and providing decent wages in industries dominated by women will keep our economy strong and resilient.

 “Importantly, the decision will also help part of the social and community services sector attract and keep qualified, valuable employees.

 “This decision is good for the sector, good for caring workers, good for women, good for families and good for the economy.”

Senator Mark Furner