Under the previous NSW Labor government, portable long service leave scheme was introduced for contract cleaners which has since provided thousands of workers with fair access to long service leave entitlements.
Contract cleaners who work for long periods of time for multiple employers have accrued long service leave entitlements under this scheme.
Currently over 137,000 people work for over 1200 employers in the contract cleaning sector.
There are over 1200 contract cleaners in the Shellharbour LGA. 61 workers have claimed almost a quarter-of a-million dollars in long service entitlements since the start of the scheme.
Real-life stories from the contract cleaners’ scheme show how portable long service leave provides crucial support when it is needed most.
Liwayway Campbell is a contract cleaner based in Warilla. She says she is looking forward to being able to access her portable long service leave.
While Wendy Murphy, a 49-year-old contract cleaner, has worked tirelessly across three employers over 18 years in the industry.
Based in Lake Illawarra, Wendy has already accessed her nine weeks of portable long service leave, providing her with the chance to take a well-earned break without financial stress.
The centralised management of the scheme operated by the long service leave corporation has been particularly beneficial for workers like Wendy, allowing her years of service to be recognised across multiple employers with minimal paperwork and administrative burden.
The proven success has laid the foundation for the upcoming Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Act which is set to benefit an estimated 250,000 workers, three in four of them women, when it comes into effect on July 1.
Community service workers often face emotionally and physically demanding roles, supporting vulnerable people across NSW including individuals with disabilities, families in crisis, and those experiencing homelessness.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
“The ability of contract cleaners to access portable long service leave is transformational for this mainly female workforce, many who are from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“They face challenging conditions working for up to four to five employers over a period of time. By basing long service on time employed in the sector, workers can accrue long service leave no matter how often the contract changes, providing an added incentive to remain in the sector.
“Most of these women have used their long service leave for family or personal issues. The ability to do this comes as a welcome relief as it provides stability and certainty.
“I look forward to the Community and Services Scheme commencing on July 1.”
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said:
“With the growth in the number of community service workers, the Minns Labor Gorvernment is making sure that these workers have the same benefits as other workers, giving back to those who give so much to our communities.
“These are tough jobs in domestic and family violence support, homelessness services, community housing and other community services and they deserve to have access to long service leave regardless of if they work for multiple providers.”
