[Australia] Government sides with workers by ‘closing loopholes’

In Australia, the government of Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured legislation providing for a quarter of a million workers to have access to minimum standards at work for the very first time, Morning Star Online reports.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 has introduced new powers for the Australian Fair Work Commission to establish minimum standards for gig economy workers, including those involved in ride-sharing and fast food delivery.

Gig workers in the country will now reportedly be considered “employee-like” if they meet certain criteria. These include the worker being engaged under a services contract, performing digital platform work and having low bargaining power in relation to that contract and low control over their work.

Employers have reacted angrily. According to Morning Star, Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black called the changes “anti-business.”
Mr Black reportedly said the new protections were “anti-worker and they come at a time that Australia can least afford it.”

However, Tony Burke - Australia’s Workplace Relations Minister - said, “If there’s a tiny bit extra you pay when your pizza arrives and they’re more likely to be safe on the roads, then I reckon it’s a pretty small price to pay.”

Together with new protections for gig workers, other changes include a pathway for casual workers wanting to convert to more permanent work and a new definition of employment and better protections for road transport workers including independent contractors.

Additionally, it introduces a “right to disconnect,” preventing employees from seeing negative consequences for not answering calls or emails outside of working hours.

Andrew Dettmer - Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) national president - said, “The right to disconnect is enshrined in law in a number of countries including France, and many workers such as police have negotiated these rights in their collective agreements.

“Of course, the right-wing Liberals are claiming that exercising such a right would cause the breakdown of industry. But effectively this will stop employers from demanding that people do out-of-hours work for free. Of course, it won’t stop paid work out of hours.

“Predictably, Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton has joined the chorus of outraged employers and promised to repeal the law if returned to power. Unfortunately for him, polling is showing that the new law is overwhelmingly supported, especially from those workers whose family time - and sleep - is interrupted by employers demanding a response.

“This promise will probably go the way of his pledge to repeal the latest tax cuts - which lasted less than a week,” Mr Dettmer said.

Sally McManus - Australian Congress of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary - told Morning Star that the changes were a great win for workers. “Not only will casual and gig workers have more rights, protections, and choices, but all workers can look forward to a better working life.”

Source: Morning Star Online

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Australia, the government of Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured legislation providing for a quarter of a million workers to have access to minimum standards at work for the very first time, Morning Star Online reports.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 has introduced new powers for the Australian Fair Work Commission to establish minimum standards for gig economy workers, including those involved in ride-sharing and fast food delivery.

Gig workers in the country will now reportedly be considered “employee-like” if they meet certain criteria. These include the worker being engaged under a services contract, performing digital platform work and having low bargaining power in relation to that contract and low control over their work.

Employers have reacted angrily. According to Morning Star, Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black called the changes “anti-business.”
Mr Black reportedly said the new protections were “anti-worker and they come at a time that Australia can least afford it.”

However, Tony Burke - Australia’s Workplace Relations Minister - said, “If there’s a tiny bit extra you pay when your pizza arrives and they’re more likely to be safe on the roads, then I reckon it’s a pretty small price to pay.”

Together with new protections for gig workers, other changes include a pathway for casual workers wanting to convert to more permanent work and a new definition of employment and better protections for road transport workers including independent contractors.

Additionally, it introduces a “right to disconnect,” preventing employees from seeing negative consequences for not answering calls or emails outside of working hours.

Andrew Dettmer - Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) national president - said, “The right to disconnect is enshrined in law in a number of countries including France, and many workers such as police have negotiated these rights in their collective agreements.

“Of course, the right-wing Liberals are claiming that exercising such a right would cause the breakdown of industry. But effectively this will stop employers from demanding that people do out-of-hours work for free. Of course, it won’t stop paid work out of hours.

“Predictably, Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton has joined the chorus of outraged employers and promised to repeal the law if returned to power. Unfortunately for him, polling is showing that the new law is overwhelmingly supported, especially from those workers whose family time - and sleep - is interrupted by employers demanding a response.

“This promise will probably go the way of his pledge to repeal the latest tax cuts - which lasted less than a week,” Mr Dettmer said.

Sally McManus - Australian Congress of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary - told Morning Star that the changes were a great win for workers. “Not only will casual and gig workers have more rights, protections, and choices, but all workers can look forward to a better working life.”

Source: Morning Star Online

(Quotes via original reporting)