One group of workers to get massive pay boost – what you need to know
- Pay increase for childcare workers
- Wages increased by 15 percent
The Albanian government is preparing to give childcare workers a 15 percent pay increase, with promises that wages will rise by a total of $258 by December 2025.
The laws that will allow for the statutory wage increase will be introduced to parliament on Thursday. If passed, they will be implemented over a two-year period, with a 10 percent increase starting in December 2024, followed by a 5 percent increase starting in December 2025.
This means that early childhood education teachers would receive a minimum $103 per week increase from December 2024, followed by a minimum $155 per week increase from December 2025.
However, to be eligible for funding, childcare organisations must be able to demonstrate that they have not increased their rates by more than 4.4 percent in the 12 months since 8 August.
The Labor Party calls the bill a victory for one of the sectors with the lowest wages, where mainly women work.
“To give our children the best start in life, we must provide them with the best education and care,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“We know these young educators are doing a fantastic job and they deserve our thanks. But they also deserve a decent wage.”
Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly said the “highly feminised workforce” had been neglected and taken for granted “for far too long”.
Albania’s government is preparing to give childcare workers a 15 percent pay rise, with promises of a total wage increase of $258 by December 2025 (stock image)
Education Minister Jason Clare said the pay rise would benefit workers, while the 4.4 per cent cap on costs would keep prices down for families (stock image)
“Valuing the childcare and early childhood education workforce correctly is critical to attracting and retaining workers and essential to achieving the quality universal childcare sector that Australian families deserve,” she said.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the pay rise would benefit workers, while the 4.4 percent cap on costs would keep prices down for families.
“A pay raise for every kindergarten teacher is good for our workforce, good for families and good for our economy,” he said.
Although the Coalition has yet to decide its position on the bill, opposition spokesperson for early childhood education Angie Bell has previously criticised the policy as a short-lived “pre-election sweetener”.
“What happens in two years’ time when the 15 per cent is paid and the cap on restrictions is lifted? Ultimately, it’s Australian families who are footing the bill,” she said in August.
The opposition is also concerned about rising childcare costs after the maximum rate expires in August 2025.