ABBOTT WIPES FLOOR WITH CLEANERS’ PAY

16 June 2014

ABBOTT WIPES FLOOR WITH CLEANERS’ PAY



Prime Minister Tony Abbott has this afternoon deliberately deceived low-paid cleaners with false hope that his Government won’t cut their wages.

 

As hundreds of Australia’s lowest paid workers gathered in Canberra to recognise International Cleaners’ Day, Mr Abbott used Question Time to wipe the floor with their future.

 

Mr Abbott said:

 

“I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced. No cleaner's pay is reduced.”

 

TONY ABBOTT – QUESTION TIME – 16 JUNE 2014


 

The Prime Minister knows that is a lie - because his Government is axing vital cleaning industry guidelines that will see cleaners lose thousands of dollars a year from their pay packets.

 

The Commonwealth Cleaning Services Guidelines, which regulate minimum pay and conditions for cleaners, will be abolished on 30 June this year as part of Mr Abbott’s red tape stunt.

 

The guidelines apply to cleaners working for Australian Government agencies and contractors.

 

As a result, cleaners stand to face a pay cut of $22 an hour to $17 an hour.

 

The axing of the guidelines will see many cleaners shifted to the existing industry award and its reduced pay rates – losing up to $170 every week in pay.

 

Tony Abbott’s unfair Budget already targets low and middle income earners – these disgraceful cuts will hit Australian cleaners already doing it tough.

MONDAY, 16 JUNE 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053