IHC: Fair pay for fair work welcomed
Media release
20 February 2019

IHC is delighted that the Government is looking into replacing the Minimum Wage Exemption (MWE) with a wage supplement to ensure people with disabilities are paid at least the minimum wage.

IHC Director of Advocacy Trish Grant says it has been discriminatory for people with disabilities to earn very little for working hard.

“People with intellectual disabilities deserve the same right to earn the minimum wage as other people – fair pay for fair work,” says Trish.

“It was disturbing to find out that some people were earning as little as 89 cents an hour – it’s not fair and it’s not right.”

Trish says it needs to be backed up by robust processes to ensure more people with intellectual disabilities can enter the workforce.

“We hope the consultation will lead to decisions being made that ensure a fair wage for existing workers, and a scheme that will motivate more employers to hire people with intellectual disability.”

Trish says removal of the MWE altogether would not create the right incentive for employers to recognise the rights of people with intellectual disability, so bringing in a wage supplement is crucial.

“This includes ensuring that checks and balances are in place to make sure employers do, in fact, pass on the supplement to his or her employee.”

ENDS

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