Jobs Pledge to Protect Public Service From Global Financial Crisis
Source: Victoria. Treasurer. Media Release
"The Victorian Government has moved to protect current public service employees from the impact of the global financial crisis through a new wages policy and a pledge not to retrench staff. Treasurer John Lenders also challenged private sector employers to follow the Victorian Government’s lead to do everything possible to make saving jobs their top priority.“We are the state’s number one employer and we will take every reasonable step to keep public service employees in their jobs,” Mr Lenders said.“This is belt tightening and it is appropriate in the current global economic climate. It is action we need to take to ensure we can protect jobs in Victoria.“Unlike other governments we will not embark on a program of retrenching public service employees.“I am also sending a challenge to all Victorian employers to make sure they also hold on to their employees despite the current economic pressures flowing from overseas.“Only by retaining the best staff will businesses be able to capitalise on the inevitable economic upturn.” Mr Lenders said the government’s 3.25 per cent wages policy with the opportunity for further increases in line with productivity increases would change to 2.5 per cent with the opportunity for further increases in line with productivity increases. The change in wages policy would occur from midday 4 May 2009."