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The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, today welcomed a commitment by the NSW Government to bring school cleaners’ employment contracts back within the Department of Education, across the Hunter and Central Coast from 2026.
“I congratulate the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, The Hon. Prue Car MP, for this far-sighted move”, said Dr Cockayne.
“Cleaners are amongst the workers most likely to suffer modern slavery in New South Wales. By bringing their employment back within the Department of Education, the Minns Government is helping reduce the risk of modern slavery in government supply-chains, a central objective of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW).”
“I am pleased to see the Minns Government taking this important first step, following sustained advocacy from the United Workers Union and the NSW Teachers Federation and others. I hope similar adjustments will follow for future school cleaning contracts.”
The NSW Government has said this new arrangement will cover approximately 600 of the estimated 7,000 school cleaners employed across NSW schools, TAFEs and participating government facilities. For the remaining school cleaners, similar protections will be considered when new cleaning contracts are established.
The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner is an independent statutory officer charged with combating modern slavery in New South Wales. He reports not to the NSW Government, but to the NSW Parliament. The Commissioner’s role was established by the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), which was supported by all political parties and came into effect in 2022. The Commissioner’s functions include monitoring government procurement and promoting efforts to reduce modern slavery risk in government supply-chains, promoting good practice, policy advocacy, and providing direct support and assistance to victims of modern slavery.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, please reach out for assistance.
Call 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 33 36) for confidential support and advice for victims of modern slavery.
Timothy O’Connor | timothy.oconnor@dcj.nsw.gov.au | 0448 449 219
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