South west workers driving their vehicles for work may soon be getting a rise on their pay-per-kilometre rate.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) have today lodged an urgent case in the Fair Work Commission to have fuel allowances increased.
The ACTU believes workers in nursing, aged care and disability support and fast-food delivery have been particularly impacted by fuel price shocks.
Vehicle allowances require employers to pay employees a per-kilometre amount to cover their fuel and maintenance costs, among others.
Currently the average vehicle allowance is set at 99 cents per kilometre, with about 40 per cent of that designated to cover fuel prices.
Unions are arguing the rate should be lifted by at least an extra 10 cents to compensate for higher fuel prices.
The ACTU wants any increase to be fast-tracked so motorists get assistance in their time of greatest need.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said it was a basic principle that workers should not be out of pocket when they are required to use their own vehicle at work.
“The current allowance is not delivering fair compensation to cover cost and so it must be adjusted,” Ms McManus said.
“Petrol prices have surged, but workers’ vehicle allowances have not even remotely kept up. “Australians are paying out of their own pockets just to do their job, and that is not sustainable amid all the other cost of living pressures working people are enduring.”
