Speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday, ACTU secretary Sally McManus detailed the unions’ proposed overhaul of the Fair Work Act, urging both the Coalition and Opposition to support the changes.
As part of the ACTU’s Change the Rules Campaign, which was launched in September 2017, the key proposals include:
Strengthened workplace rights for the gig economy (including start-ups such as Uber)
Legislating rights for casual employment to transition into permanent employment, and
Government procurement rules that prioritise “fair pay and secure work”.
Seeking to execute a “permanent fix” for insecure work, the strategy also includes ending the uncapped use of temporary visa workers. Ms McManus said that casual employment, which is not currently defined in the Fair Work Act, should be “properly defined” and workers should have the right to transition into permanent employment after working regularly in a casual capacity for six months. Furthermore, for independent contractors working within the gig economy, Ms McManus is seeking solidification of basic rights such as the right to collectively bargain, minimum wage, access to workers’ compensation, sick leave and superannuation.
The proposed hire system overhaul also includes a labour hire licensing scheme which would prevent firms from continuing operation if they breached workplace laws. Whilst this proposal is supported by Labor, Minister for Small Business and Workplace, the Hon Craig Laundy MP, has warned that the ACTU’s proposals are unnecessary and that the current system is not broken.
Latest posts by Team Nexus APAC (see all)
- MUCH MORE NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP - February 15, 2019
- HAKEEM RETURNS HOME - February 15, 2019
- MEDIVAC BILL - February 15, 2019
