Yesterday fair work Australia announced a 2.5% pay rise for the most underpaid workers in this country which will equate to an additional 49 cents an hour. This is on top of a 1.75% increase last year.
The amendment Barton is bringing to the house this coming Tuesday is about changing the way the Essential Services Commission (ESC) determines maximum fare rates for taxis.
This amendment would ensure that the ESC considers an accredited driver's capacity to earn a living wage as well as the commercial viability of operating a taxi service.
Living wage means remuneration that is sufficient for a reasonable standard of living having regard to the cost of essential goods and services.
However, Barton is calling on the Victorian Government to initiate a pay rise for taxi drivers today.
These transport workers have not had a fare increase since 2014, 7 long years ago. These are our most essential workers and our most vulnerable workers.
Taxi drivers get no holiday pay, no sick pay, no superannuation, and no carers leave. Yet, the government still expects them to work for half the minimum wage.
This is a disgrace and needs to be fixed today.
Barton is asking the government to rectify this wrong and give these drivers a pay rise.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and the Leader of the Transport Matters Party Rod Barton MP:
"It has been 7 long years since the last maximum fare increase for taxi drivers. Do people think these drivers' rents do not rise, their cost of living does not increase, and the tolls do not go up? In real terms, taxi drivers' rate of pay has been decreasing since 2014."
"We are asking these transport workers to work for a rate of pay and in a set of conditions that the vast majority of Victorians would not accept. It is time to fix it."
