Unions have welcomed a trial that will see 150,000 casual workers receive leave at the minimum wage.
About 150,000 Victorian casual workers will be eligible for five days’ paid sick and carer’s leave each year as part of a $246m Australian-first trial to tackle the “toxic” nature of insecure work.
The trial, announced by the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, on Monday, has already been criticised by business and industry groups as a “handbrake” on the state’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The state opposition also indicated they could scrap the trial if elected in November.
Under Andrews’ plan, eligible casual and contract workers will receive up to five days a year of sick or carer’s pay at the national minimum wage, which is now set at $20.33 an hour or $772.60 a week.
The first phase of the two-year trial will be open to about 150,000 workers in hospitality, retail, aged and disability care, cleaning and laundry services, security and the supermarket and supply chain industries.
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