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Summer 2005

John Howard’s Attack on Working Australians

No Protection For Public Holidays, Overtime, Penalty Rates, Breaks, Bonuses, Leave Loading, Allowances Or Unfair Dismissal Protection In the Howard Government’s Proposed IR Laws

Under the Howard Government's proposed new industrial relations laws workers applying for new jobs, workers applying for a promotion with their existing employer, or a new employee entering the workforce could be required to sign an individual contract (AWA) as a condition of employment.

This is currently the case at the Federal Government's Department Industry and Training. It is a case of sign the contract or no job.

The Government's own promotional material confirms that an AWA may remove a worker's right to award entitlements that include public holidays, rest breaks, overtime, bonuses, annual leave loading, penalty rates and shift loadings.

The example of the worker 'Billy' is detailed on page 15 in the Government's 'WorkChoices' document and it shows that not even public holidays, overtime or rest breaks will be protected under the Government's proposed new workplace laws.

In reality 'WorkChoices' will mean no choices for Australian workers.

Billy is a worker whose story is provided by the Government as an example of what could happen under their new workplace system.

Under the new laws, to get a job as a retail worker Billy has to sign an AWA individual contract that removes his rights to public holidays, rest breaks, bonuses, annual leave loadings, allowances, penalty rates, overtime and shift loadings.

The example of 'Billy' in the official Government information material clearly illustrates that the Prime Minister's claim that conditions like meal breaks, public holidays, overtime pay, shift penalties and allowances will be protected under his workplace laws is clearly untrue.

Approximately 25% of Australian workers change jobs every year. At the time that a person changes a job they will have little or no say in whether they lose a whole range of entitlements currently protected under awards.

These new laws will transfer unprecedented power to employers. It will give employers an almost unfettered power to hire and fire at will and allow them to unilaterally determine the pay and conditions of employees without reference to meaningful minimum standards, protections or rights.

These laws will take Australian workers backwards at a time when many working families are already struggling just to keep their heads above water.

The only advice the Prime Minister can give Australian workers who will be hurt by his workplace laws is sign the contract and accept the pay cut or go and find another job.