Giving early childhood educators an extra 15% is good policy, and even better politics
Giving early childhood educators an extra 15% is good policy, and even better politics The Conversation Indonesia
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Pay Rise for Early Childhood Educators and Carers
From December, early childhood educators and carers in Australia will receive a pay rise of at least $103 per week. By the following December, the pay rise will increase to $155 per week. These pay rises, totaling 15%, will be fully funded by the government. In return, childcare centers employing these workers have agreed to limit fee increases to no more than 4.4% over the next year.
Addressing Gender Pay Inequity
Early childhood educators and carers are among the lowest-paid professionals, with median weekly earnings less than two-thirds of median adult earnings. The starting salary for adults in this sector is approximately $24 per hour. This pay increase is a partial remedy for gender pay inequity.
Government’s Decision and Fair Work Commission
The government’s decision to increase wages early, without waiting for an order from the Fair Work Commission, is highly welcomed. Previously, child carers and childhood educators had to navigate complex and costly legal processes to address gender-based undervaluation of care work. The Fair Work Commission’s new approach, influenced by the government’s reform of the Fair Work Act, aims to promote job security and gender equality. The commission will review the wages of childhood educators and carers, along with other caring professions, by mid-2025.
Multi-Employer Bargaining and Wage Policy Shift
Another reform introduced by the government is multi-employer bargaining, which allows early education and care employers and unions to bargain collectively. The United Workers Union has been advocating for a 25% pay increase, while one of the major employers, G8, has called for a 15% hourly wage increase for specialist educators and a 10% increase for all early childhood educators. These developments represent a significant shift in wages policy and aim to properly value care work and address unfilled vacancies.
Impact on Education Policy
The demand for early childhood education and care is increasing. Between 2014-15 and 2022-23, the proportion of children aged five years and under receiving subsidized places rose from 40.8% to 49.9%. However, fees in the sector have become less affordable compared to other developed countries. Average daily fees at center-based day care have increased by 20% between September 2018 and July 2023. The government’s pay rise for workers aims to address the affordability issue by restraining fee increases.
Positive Inflation and Politics
The measures will cost $3.6 billion over four years. While some argue that increased government spending leads to inflation, this spending will actually help restrain fee increases while boosting wages for underpaid workers. Accepting the Fair Work Commission’s decision without providing funding and fee guarantees would have further increased inflation for parents. Additionally, this package of initiatives is a step towards addressing the issues in Australia’s early education and care system.
Source: theconversation.com
