Issue # 1405      1 April 2009

Pay cuts for low paid workers? No way!

Serena Kershaw, ACT childcare professional, is concerned about the value Australians place on the importance and potential of high quality early childhood experiences for children.

When employer group Australian Childcare Alliance made a submission to the Fair Pay Commission suggesting a cut in the minimum wage Serena was astounded.

Louise Tarrant, national secretary of LHMU Childcare Union, asks: “If the Alliance is advocating a wage cut for childcare workers, will they be dropping their fees because large government subsidies will stay the same?

“The provision of quality childcare for Australian families is absolutely reliant on a stable, quality workforce. That is only possible if childcare professionals are paid a fair wage.”

“If, as the Alliance claims, childcare operators are concerned about the affordability of childcare, perhaps private operators charging high fees should consider dropping those fees. This makes more sense than advocating a cut in the wages of their hard-working and dedicated staff who are amongst the lowest paid workers in our community.”

Next article — Fosters workers maintain pay and conditions

Back to index page