With multiple cases of COVID-19 emerging in the disability sector in Victoria, the Health Service Union (HSU National) and its Victorian disability branch the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) are urging the Federal and Victorian Governments to act quickly to prevent another aged care tragedy.
The virus has spread to multiple disability providers in Victoria and both staff and residents have been reported as infected.
The characteristics of the disability workforce are comparable to the aged care workforce with insecure and low paid work, workers with multiple employers and workplaces, and vulnerable participants and residents.
Paid pandemic leave, a COVID care allowance, financial support to work at one facility, access to personal protective equipment and training, and establishing an advisory group and a prepared surge workforce are all immediate measures that can assist to contain further outbreaks.
The HSU has sought urgent meetings with the Federal and Victorian Governments imploring them to bring together all stakeholders to address the issues in the disability sector.
The HSU has also written to the Fair Work Commission requesting that they review the case of paid pandemic leave for disability and home care workers.
“As a matter of urgency, the Federal Government should commit to supporting and funding paid pandemic leave and working at single sites. No health worker should be out of pocket due to working at one facility or self-isolating due to COVID-19.” said Lloyd Williams, HSU National Secretary.
“We need to learn from the tragedy that has emerged in the Aged Care Sector and act quickly and decisively to protect and support people with a disability and their support workers.”
