The Australian Nursing Federation is lobbying for aged care nursing workers to be included in the Federal Government’s $2 billion bid to deliver an historic pay rise to 150,000 of the nation’s lowest paid workers.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced plans to join the Australian Services Union in a joint submission to independent umpire Fair Work Australia, and providing $2 billion to fund its share of any wage increases awarded.

But the government has so far singled out the social and community services sector, including those who work with people with disabilities, in counselling families, running homeless shelters and those working with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Federal Government figures show that of the 150,000 workers in the sector, 120,000 are women, and the government states Fair Work Australia has already found their work has been undervalued because of gender considerations.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas applauded the government’s move but urged the PM not to forget aged care workers, who are paid between $168 and $300 on average less per week than nurses working in hospitals.

“We are pleased the Prime Minister is lending her support to the submission but we are concerned that nursing and care staff in the under-resourced aged care sector have been left out of this wage claim,” Ms Thomas said in a statement.

“The wage disparity in aged care, where women make up 90 per cent of the workforce, has to be acknowledged and addressed as a matter of urgency by the Gillard Government.

“The government must be consistent here, if it is serious about assisting low paid workers, particularly women, then it has to include those working (in) the aged care sector.”