Jul 17, 2020

Ban on multiple jobs another blow for aged care workers

 

Bans on aged care workers working in multiple aged care facilities shows how little has been done to protect the aged care workforce and those they care for in this pandemic, Carolyn Smith, the aged care director of United Workers Union, said today.

“The Federal Government and the broader industry have ignored calls for paid pandemic leave that would protect workers and those they care for,” Ms Smith said today.

“Now we see moves to further punish large numbers of aged care workers in the industry who work across two or more sites.

“No-one is saying that efforts to restrict coronavirus shouldn’t be made as it spreads in Victorian aged care facilities.

“But the Federal Government should be paying additional compensation to some of Australia’s lowest-paid workers if they can’t do two jobs. Paid pandemic leave is also essential.

“Ad hoc restrictions on aged care workers who work two jobs shows the complete lack of robust solutions that give workers the financial comfort they need to stay away from workplaces if they fear they have contracted coronavirus.”

Ms Smith pointed to OECD research released last month showing Australia has the second highest level of part-time aged care workers and the second lowest length of tenure in aged care jobs.*

“These shameful figures point to a broken system that requires a massive overhaul,” Ms Smith said. “It’s the industry’s reliance on this part-time and casual workforce that forces workers to take jobs across multiple facilities.

“If you stop aged care workers from working two jobs, there simply will not be enough carers to look after residents in aged care facilities – with dire consequences for those in care.

“The whole system – already in crisis – will approach a breakdown if these bans are imposed widely.

“Punishing workers by stopping them having two jobs shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the structure of the industry, and there needs to be a serious package of financial and structural measures to address these issues.”

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Beautifully said. This pandemic has brought up all the issues in the work force in Australia. From greedy universities relying on overseas paying students to the under employed and our reliance on other countries to manufacture almost everything we use and wear today. Our water is under siege in the driest country in the world and we are still allowing others to move here when there is so little space in our major cities causing issues to the environment sucking up our valuable water resources in turn effecting our wildlife habitations and our green spaces for all. When I read letters to Hello From all sorts of people with a personal interest in Aged Care I realise the big boys and women at the top of governments actually don’t give a damb!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Public “shocked” by staffing gaps in aged care. It took a pandemic for them to notice

Media reports slamming aged care facilities for having only one nurse on duty for more than 100 residents ignore an important fact: this is not unusual in aged care. In fact, it’s the norm. It has been well established by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and several inquiries before it, that... Read More

New regulatory actions aim to better protect Victorian aged care residents and staff

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released a statement on regulatory action to minimise the risk of spread of COVID-19 to staff and consumers in aged care facilities in Victoria. The action relates to a number of approved providers of residential aged care services experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, following concerns about the serious... Read More

Shocking revelations of community ignorance are putting older people at risk

The most vulnerable older Australians – whether in aged care or living at home - are being put at risk of COVID-19 infection and death by community members ignoring quarantine rules. Revelations today that more than a quarter (130) of positive cases in Victoria doorknocked by ADF teams in the past 24 hours appeared to be flouting self-isolation rules were alarming. Read More
Advertisement