Ridiculous CEO salaries in aged-care

Ridiculous CEO salaries in aged-care

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the union representing aged-care workers is extremely disappointed to see the CEOs of aged-care providers earning megabucks while many of their employees are paid a pittance.

Three of the top 40 wage earners reported in the Business Herald today worked for aged-care providers. Ryman Healthcare Managing Director Simon Challies’ pay went up nearly $100,000 to $838,249 from 2013 to 2014, according to the executive pay survey.

Annie Newman from the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) said that is was poignant to learn this on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“There is plenty of evidence showing the pay of carers is directly linked with the quality of care and that we need a revolution in thinking in this sector. This survey is yet further evidence that the persistent call for change is falling on deaf ears,” Ms Newman said.

“In a sector where as many as one in four workers are paid the minimum wage, it’s beyond belief that the bosses are earning up to and over $800,000 per annum.

“Inequality in the sector means the community suffers because workers do not have money to invest in local economies, the elderly suffer because their industry is valued only for the real estate opportunities it offers owners, and the staff suffer because they have to make ends meet on unacceptably low wages.

“With government funding at record lows, it’s time that the CEOs led from the top and invested in their staff,” she said.

ENDS

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