The underbelly of Australia's prosperity revealed: report

"This report inspects the truth behind Australia's prosperity," said Louise Tarrant National Secretary of United Voice, the Cleaners' Union.  "Although our country has remained resilient through the GFC and managed to benefit greatly from the mining boom, ordinary Australians are not feeling the wealth."

"In fact, poverty in our country is skyrocketing, with 1 in 5 Australians being classified as low-paid and living on a knife's edge, struggling just to pay their bills and put food on the table."

The report inspects the living conditions for some of Australia's lowest-paid—cleaners in shopping centres.  A survey with shopping centre cleaners found that:

• 68% cannot easily get by on their low wages, with some cleaners reporting having to put bills on credit cards just to get by.
• Over 90% of cleaners do not think they will have enough saved to retire at 65, with 86% believing that their financial future is not secure.
• Nearly 30% are working more hours than they are paid for.

"This report highlights what it's like being part of Australia's working poor. Birthdays and Christmas become times for stress and dread, as parents know they can't afford gifts for their children. Holidays become an unknown luxury, and retiring becomes unattainable."

"This new report opens conversation about what life is truly like for the low-paid—feeding your children whatever you can afford, being forced to put bills on credit cards and having to rely on loans from family just to get by."

As part of today's launch, shopping centre cleaners are trying to fight their way out of poverty by lodging an application to ballot for protected industrial action at shopping centres across the country.

"The report's launch is being held at Fair Work today for a simple reason. Shopping centre cleaners across the country are taking a stand against the ever-increasing poverty in our country and our local communities. They know it's time to do something about it."

"These cleaners have been asking their employer, Spotless, for a year now to talk to them about improving cleaning practices and providing liveable wages, and the company has refused to even engage with their workers. The cleaners are lodging an application to ballot because it's time we did something about poverty in our country. This is the first step."

"It's time for cleaning contractors and owners of shopping centres to take responsibility for the ever-increasing rates of poverty in Australia. The cleaners are doing their part; now it's time for Spotless and owners like Westfield to do the same."

Download the report