[Australia] Workplace reforms give casual workers right to permanent employment

Under the federal government's new workplace reforms - intended to tackle insecure work - casual workers who have been with the same employer for a year and in regular shifts for six months must be offered permanent employment. On Monday, the Morrison government will reportedly announce a new statutory definition of casual employment. One of several measures designed to bring more certainty to the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The casual work sector was the worst hit by the coronavirus crisis. There are 2.6 million casual employees in Australia and 1.35 million of those have been working regular shifts for their employer for 12 months or more. Industrial relations reforms will also tackle the "double-dipping" problem created by a recent Federal Court decision which ruled that some "casual" workers were entitled to claim both annual leave and casual loadings. Such a benefit would typically be worth 25 per cent of their pay. The Sydney Morning Herald has further details and reactions to the new laws.

Under the federal government's new workplace reforms - intended to tackle insecure work - casual workers who have been with the same employer for a year and in regular shifts for six months must be offered permanent employment. On Monday, the Morrison government will reportedly announce a new statutory definition of casual employment. One of several measures designed to bring more certainty to the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The casual work sector was the worst hit by the coronavirus crisis. There are 2.6 million casual employees in Australia and 1.35 million of those have been working regular shifts for their employer for 12 months or more. Industrial relations reforms will also tackle the "double-dipping" problem created by a recent Federal Court decision which ruled that some "casual" workers were entitled to claim both annual leave and casual loadings. Such a benefit would typically be worth 25 per cent of their pay. The Sydney Morning Herald has further details and reactions to the new laws.