The ACTU has launched a new radio advertising campaign that reinforces its message that Work Choices will make it harder for working families and young people to get a fair go.
The DEWR is to further examine whether the Federal Government's independent contractors legislation in any way undermines existing protections for outworkers.
Wages to remain stable, defying labour demand, says RBA; 10.5% pay rise over three years at KMart; and Ford does deal solely with vehicles union, after failing to reach accord with other unions.
The Senate inquiry into the Independent Contractors Bill might reconvene later this month to draft amendments on clothing industry outworkers, after hearing evidence that the legislation fails to meet its stated objective of protecting vulnerable workers in the industry.
The Australian Council of Social Service has urged the Fair Pay Commission to deliver a minimum pay rise in line with general wage movements - currently about 4% a year - and to develop a benchmark for "a decent basic living standard" for a single adult to guide its considerations.
ALP senators today questioned the representative status of the Independent Contractors Association during the final day of the two-day Senate Inquiry into the independent contractors legislation - and tabled a memo in which executive director Ken Philips said it was "becoming clear that the detail of the Bill will be of WorkChoices disaster proportions".
New Liberal Senator Corey Bernardi - who replaced former minister Robert Hill in May - has flagged possible amendments to the Federal Government's Independent Contractors Bill to establish a federal small claims jurisdiction.
The NSW Road Transport Association has this morning acknowledged to the Senate Inquiry into the federal independent contractors legislation that there may be an initial "rush to the bottom" if the Federal Government reverses its earlier decision to exempt NSW and Victorian owner-drivers.
A major employer has failed to strike out a discrimination case by a sales representative with an alleged gambling addiction who was denied salary maintenance when she suddenly moved from Melbourne to Perth to escape Victoria's poker machines.
