Open letter: Abolish subminimum wage for disabled workers!

In 2022, Abigail signed an open letter led by disability advocates, calling for Australia to abolish subminimum wages for disabled workers. 2 years later in 2024, over 2,000 individuals, 260 organisations and 191 elected politicians across all three levels of government have joined the call and signed their support. 

Read the open letter below, including the links to the full letter and where you can add your name. 

Abolish Subminimum Wage - Open Letter

Read this letter in Plain English

Sign this letter

We oppose the practice of paying disabled workers subminimum wage. It is unacceptable that in 2024 disabled people living in Australia can be paid as little as $3.01 per hour, while the minimum wage for others is $24.10 per hour

These practices don’t help disabled people find work. We know from the Disability Royal Commission that Australia has one of the lowest disability employment rates in the OECD. As disabled people and allies, we support transition to fairer, equitable work through more modern and just practices to support disabled people in the workplace, such as supported employment and customised employment.

We acknowledge the international workers’ movement — led by disabled people — to end these archaic practices, which originated in the 1930s, and seek equitable pay. This movement has seen sweeping legislative success across the past decade. 

Disabled people demand equal pay for our work. It is time for Australia to abolish subminimum wages.

In solidarity,

Individuals (2173)

National Organisations (37) 

State & Local Organisations (223)

Senators & MPs (17)

State & Territory MPs (41)

Councillors (133)

 

as of 10 November 2024

For a full list of names, see the full letter at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dj4N8NtD9RKJj7eypPgKkIPggKI2aONCrwBOEzjrEIg/edit

Join 50,991 other supporters in taking action