FED:Disabled workers pay rates kept low

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2011
FED:Disabled workers pay rates kept low

The Federal Court's been told the way the wages of workers with disabilities is set
.. is designed to keep their pay rates low.

The case for two intellectually disabled men began in Melbourne today .. and is considered
to be a test case for 20-thousand disabled workers across Australia.

They're claiming that under a federal assessment tool .. introduced in 2004 .. disabled
workers have been copping a raw deal.

In her opening address .. KRISTINE HANSCOMBE's told Justice PETER GRAY the two men
would never be able to pass the competencies component of the Business Service Wage Assessment
Tool .. and it's only intended to lower their wage rates.

The trial's expected to continue for the next two weeks.

AAP RTV md/mn/tm

KEYWORD: DISABLED (MELBOURNE)

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