300,000 more people held multiple jobs in 2016-17 compared to 2011-12, according to new data released today by the ABS.
More than half of the people holding multiple jobs – 53 per cent – are women. People working multiple jobs were paid on average less than people working a single job, and people working three or more jobs were paid even less.
The median income for those working multiple jobs was $40,500 – more than $2500 below the overall median. The figures for people with three jobs, or four plus, were even lower at $38,600 and $38,000 respectively.
Almost one in five job holders is working three or more jobs concurrently. Shockingly, 166,000 people in Australia held four or more jobs concurrently over the course of 2016-17.
Quotes attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:
“This is future Australian workers face under the Morrison Government and its refusal to address insecure work.
“More and more research shows the extent of the crisis. Non-standard forms of work are expanding, underemployment is high, multiple jobs are increasing. In response the Morrison Government is attempting to pass laws which attack the rights of working people.
“The fact that working more jobs means, on average, earning less shows that people forced into holding multiple jobs are doing it out of dire need.
“The ongoing wage growth crisis means that more Australians are having to work extra jobs just to stay still.
“Research consistently shows that the best way to improve both pay and job security is to join your union.
“We also need to rebalance our system and strengthen our rights at work so people can more easily win fair pay and more secure work.”
