The Victorian Government’s Sick Pay Guarantee program has seen 30,000 casual workers sign up only four months after it was announced.
More than 21 per cent of those now registered work in regional Victoria and there has been strong uptake among carers, aides and security workers, as well as hospitality workers and cleaners.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said Victoria is the only state in Australia that is supporting casual and contract workers in this way.
“No one should have to choose their health and a day’s pay,” she said.
“This is about supporting casual workers to take the time they need to get well or care for a loved one.”
Casual retail assistant Ava Grimshaw-Hall benefited from the program as she recently had to take time off work following a mishap in the kitchen.
While cooking one day Ms Grimshaw-Hall came off second best against a casserole dish – with a piece of the dish severing two tendons in her hand – she needed surgery and time off work.
“My advice to casual workers is to sign up to the program, get ahead of it, it’s there to help so you don’t ever have to suffer financially,” said Ms Grimshaw-Hall.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 Victorian workers are eligible in this first phase of the pilot, which is fully funded by the Victorian Government for its first two years. Eligible workers are covered from the day they sign up to the program and can claim up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay.
Casual and self-employed contract workers who do not have access to any sick and carer’s pay are encouraged to check their eligibility and sign up now at vic.gov.au/sickpayguarantee.
