News

Insecure Work Inquiry

February 10, 2012

The ACTU are currently conducting an independent national inquiry into insecure work, being chaired by Brian Howe.

Around 40% of workers are involved in insecure work arrangements such as casual work, fixed term work, contracting or labour hire. Most of these workers don’t have access to the same rights as permanent workers, earn less, have limited access to sick or holiday leave and can lose their jobs with little to no notice without redundancy. For many Australians insecure work is not a preference – it’s all they can get.

PERSONAL accounts of how limited job security can turn lives upside down will be heard at a national inquiry from next week. The inquiry into insecure work will open in Brisbane on Monday, with hearings in 23 locations nationally before closing in Melbourne on March 22. ACTU president Ged Kearney says many Australians live with the continuous risk that their hours could be cut or they could lose their jobs altogether.

“They cannot plan their futures, they find it hard to get a mortgage, to go on a holiday and even to watch their children play sport,” she said.

Casual or short-term contracts, labour hire and contracting has almost doubled in the past two decades and makes up about 40 per cent of the workforce. The inquiry, led by former deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe, has received more than 500 submissions. To see the submissions click here

The joint COSS submission can be found here
WACOSS encourages WA community organisations to participate in the inquiry. We note that the inquiry is particularly interested in hearing first-hand accounts from those experiencing work insecurity, on and off employment and underemployment … and from those delivering front line services to those affected. Insecure work is also an issue for the community sector, as noted in the ACOSS submission.

The hearings for WA are as follows.

20 February    Perth                   The State Library of WA (the Geographe Room)

21 February    Karratha            The Karratha International Hotel (the Goldfinch Room)

The sitting times will be from 10am to 4pm please register your attendance by calling 1300 362 223

All hearings are open to the public and it would be great to have WACOSS members along

To read the latest publications click here

For further information please go to:
http://www.securejobs.org.au