Victorian Trades Hall Council has welcomed the report of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council Luke Hilakari said the report’s recommendations “would dramatically improve the financial and emotional security of thousands of Victorian women experiencing family violence”.

 VTHC particularly welcomed recommendations that:

• The National Employment Standards and Modern Awards (as a minimum) should be amended to include FV Leave clauses, in line with the VTHC submission to the Royal Commission, and that the Victorian Government must be proactive in its support for these variations in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission
• The Victorian Government, as Victoria’s biggest employer, should model best practice in relation to family violence leave entitlements and education on the issue in the workplace
• The Victorian government link procurement strategy to an organisation’s commitment to provide for Family Violence related support (including leave to employees)
• Worksafe actively engage with family violence as part of an integrated health strategy
• Victoria must provide greater support, remuneration, career paths and training for community services workers providing family violence services
• Victorian workplaces further develop initiatives to prevent and respond to Family Violence

Quotes attributable: Luke Hilakari, Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council.

“For the first time, we have a Government recognising the pivotal role of the workplace in supporting gender equitable cultures and addressing family violence. It is absolutely vital that we now ensure workplaces take on that responsibility”.

“Victorian union women have been world leaders in advocating for family violence leave provisions. We welcome the Government’s support for the leave provisions principle, and their commitment to supporting family violence leave in the Fair Work Commission.”

“This report recognises that family violence support services are under immense strain. To fix the system, we must value and support the people providing those services. They are on the front line, they must be supported.”