We had an urgent hearing at the Tasmanian Industrial Commission yesterday to get answers about the government’s Christmas-time wage theft, since the Department had failed to pay many workers the additional Low Income Payment (LIP) this week.
The Commission agreed with us that at least full-time workers should have received the payment in the latest pay, but it was very apparent that the Department had made no arrangements for the payment to actually happen.
We’ve now gotten assurances that the payment will be included in your next pay (pay period 14).
Whilst it’s positive news that you will be getting the pay you’re rightfully owed, it is still unacceptable that you’re being paid late and that workers in payroll will now be forced to go flat-out over the break to fix the Department’s mess.
We still believe that the government have breached their agreement with workers (at least when it comes to those who are full-time).
In January we’ll go back to the Commission with the Department to make sure that they stick to the agreement, and that they put arrangements in place so this doesn’t happen again next year.
If you don’t receive your LIP in your next pay (due on or about 5 January 2024) please make sure you get in touch with us.
We hope that your festive season is joyous and you get to spend some time with the ones you love. To those of you that are working, we salute you – you’re real-life heroes.