
Government to trial paid sick leave for casual workers
The Victorian government has announced a $5 million two-year trial to provide paid sick leave and carer’s pay for casual and insecure workers.
The Victorian government has announced a $5 million two-year trial to provide paid sick leave and carer’s pay for casual and insecure workers.
Casual hospitality and fitness workers have spoken out over fears they will struggle to support themselves in the lead up to Christmas as their industries hang in the balance amid a new round of coronavirus restrictions.
Get InDaily in your inbox. Daily. The best local news sent straight to your inbox every workday at lunchtime.
Thanks for signing up to the InDaily newsletter.
Australian universities have come to rely not only on international students, but high levels of casual staff. Many claim they are systemically underpaid, with some institutions under audit for wage theft more akin to the hospitality industry. Damien Cahill argues that ending exploitation and putting staff back on the books should be part of the sector’s recovery.
The State Government will unveil a taxpayer-funded pandemic leave scheme for casual workers next week, after an appeal for the Federal Government to chip in was rejected.
Academics on casual contracts often feel vulnerable and of lower status than “permanent” staff members. Yet, they can minimise their exploitation as if it’s part of the authentic academic experience, writes Kate Bone.