Anti-Poverty Week Highlights Fair Wage Need
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Labor and Liberal parties to support wage justice for Tasmanian cleaners, who are some of the lowest paid cleaners in the country, many of whom live on the brink of poverty.
Greens Member for Denison, Cassy O’Connor MP, said Tasmanian cleaners, working in both the public and private sectors, were receiving $2 to $4 less per hour than their counterparts in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, who took action on the low wages of their cleaners several years ago.
“Tasmania’s cleaners are among some of the state’s poorest, many working additional jobs in order to support themselves and their families,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Tasmanian cleaners are lagging behind their counterparts in other capital cities, who were awarded a measure of wage justice some two years ago.”
“The nationwide ‘Clean Start Collective Agreement’ being proposed by the United Voice Cleaners Union would provide equity for our state’s often invisible workers, and warrants further investigation.”
“This week I have written to the Premier, in her capacity as Treasurer, for information on all state government cleaning contracts that do not currently operate with Clean Start agreements and when those contracts are due to be renegotiated,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Member for Denison
