Childcare workers fighting for improved conditions

By Nick Sinis 

A LOCAL childcare provider has echoed calls for better pay and working conditions following a nation-wide strike last week. 

Hundreds of childcare centres shutdown as thousands of workers protested last Wednesday, which coincided with Early Childhood Educators’ Day. 

According to the United Workers Union, educators are leaving the sector in record numbers every week due to burn-out, workload and low pay. 

United Workers Union members are calling for the current Federal Government to urgently outline a plan and timeline to deliver on key priorities including:

• Giving workers a reason to stay and pay them what they are worth,

• Value early learning as part of the education system, just as important as schools, and

• Put children before profit.

While Korumburra’s Karmai Community Children’s Centre, which is the only childcare provider in town, didn’t have any staff attend the protests, they strongly supported the issues raised. 

“We did put it to our staff if they would like to go,” a spokesperson from the centre said. 

“We were aware of it, but our staff decided they would much prefer to be here for the families.

“And if they did strike, we wouldn’t be open and be able to serve the community.

“But obviously we want our industry to be recognised, especially for the really hard work that we do.

“We were on the frontline all throughout COVID… we came to work every day and we’ve been here the whole time.”

The spokesperson highlighted that while Karmai does pay its staff above the minimum award, many potential employees are still discouraged from considering a career in the industry due to the current workloads and pay conditions. 

And while they have struggled to find staff throughout COVID, fortunately they have been successful in recruiting more recently.

However, the centre also continues to experience high demand as they are fully booked, with waitlists for new enrolments.

“We just want to be recognised that we are professionals who are trained, and do a really good job,” they said. 

According to Fair Work, the hourly pay rate on commencement for a level one support worker or personal aide is $21.85 per hour or $830.30 per week (Monday to Friday), and this is the same rate paid for a level one children’s service employee.