Danielle is a labour hire mineworker in the Hunter Valley.
For years, she worked side by side with others who did the same job, worked the same hours and had the same qualifications – and got paid less.
“We got paid less, had less stability and less security. We never felt like equals, because we weren’t valued equally – we were just the ‘cheap option’,” says Danielle.
“We had to work overtime to earn the same money as the others. Even though we all did the exact same work.”
Labor’s new same job, same pay law means that workers like Danielle now get a fair deal.
“It was just the right thing to do. To get the same pay rate and same conditions is really great.”
“It wasn’t just about that pay, but it helps with the bills. I know for my colleagues with kids and new babies, in single-income households it makes a big difference. And it helps people like me save more so I can buy my own home.”