National Seniors Australia says it backs today’s planned walkout by thousands of aged care workers in facilities across South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland in support of a 25% wage increase.
National Seniors Chief advocate, Ian Henschke said he understood why aged care workers are walking out.
“The Royal Commission highlighted how challenging their work is and recommended more
workers, better trained workers and better paid workers,” said Mr Henshcke.
“National Seniors supports the proposal to lift wages before the Fair Work commission. We hope this is concluded quickly so we can attract and retain the workers needed in aged care.
“The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) said in a recent report we need 17,000 extra aged care workers in Australia each year.”
Australia’s peak consumer and advocacy organisation for older Australians has been stepping up its ‘Let Pensioners Work’ campaign as one way to help attract and retain workers in sectors, such as aged care, he said.
“If politicians in Canberra would give the plan a go to let pensioners work in vital sectors such as aged care, without financial penalty there would be more aged care workers available,” Mr Henschke told 2GB Radio this morning.
He cited recent research by National Seniors Australia showing 20% of pensioners surveyed would consider going back into the workforce. Some of these people could be attracted to working in aged care as well as other industries, he said.
“We have been told directly by industries such as aged care, agriculture, hospitality and tourism that they desperately need older workers to fill shortages now.”
“Allowing pensioners to keep their pension if they work in aged care would provide an additional incentive to work in this critical sector. All we are saying is give this plan a chance,” Mr Henschke said.
The United Workers Union said workers in six major aged care providers with more than 130 facilities and caring for 11,000 aged care residents will strike today in support of their claims for increased pay and staffing levels.
