The relationship of productivity-based wages to human rights and occupational justice – an exploratory study

ABSTRACT

Background

Productivity-based wage systems are intended to enhance the labour market participation of people with disabilities. Limited scholarship exists regarding the impact of such policies in practice. This qualitative study explored stakeholder perspectives on the Australian Supported Wage System (SWS), including perceptions of fairness and equity.

Methods

Document review provided context and background for the study. 14 semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with a range of stakeholders with knowledge of the SWS.

Results

Four primary themes were identified, related to assessment processes, value contributions of the system, practice risks and challenges, and ethical tensions.

Conclusions

The SWS appears to enhance worker choice and inclusion. A variety of factors may reduce the quality of these outcomes, however, and employment systems should support a range of evidence-informed approaches to ensure equitable employment outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• supported wages
• labour market participation
• social inclusion
• occupational justice
• intellectual disability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Intellectual disability is defined by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia as a condition affecting intellectual skills and adaptive behaviours including the ability to learn, communicate, reason and retain information.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Association of Commonwealth Universities: [Grant Number 2018-199-141-008340].