In a major boost for pay justice the Victorian Government will back Fair Work Australia’s decision on the pay claim for social workers and community service workers employed in the community sector.

Social and community service workers employed by community groups such as Wesley, Yooralla, Melbourne City Mission and Scope, currently are not paid at the same rate as their counterparts directly employed by the Victorian Government.

In March this year, community sector workers lodged an application for an Equal Remuneration order, with the case to be dealt with by a Full Bench of Fair Work Australia. The hearings will take place in September and October. Budget capacity exists in the forward estimates and once Fair Work Australia has made its determination, it will be fully costed and factored in to Labor’s Financial Statement for the 2010 State Election.

The Labor Government will factor in any wage increases to our service agreements with community services organisations and ensure those wage increases are passed on to workers. A re-elected Labor Government would continue our historic investment to A Fairer Victoria, to support the most vulnerable Victorians.