Amendments to the Federal Government’s ‘Closing the Loopholes’ industrial relations bill have been welcomed by industry as providing greater certainty for legions of casual workers and their employers.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) voiced concerns with the original Bill, posing that some workers were happy with being casuals but that employers would no longer be able to provider systemic regular casual employment.
The national body has now received commitment from Employment & Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke to amend the Bill.
“The simple fact is many hospitality workers do actually prefer casual employment, given the 25 per cent wage loading and the flexibility to refuse shifts,” says AHA National CEO Stephen Ferguson.
Suggesting the amendments are good news for both casuals and employers and a “win for both” the AHA also welcomed a commitment to remove from the Bill the civil penalty provision relating to misrepresentation of casual employment.
”Any mistakes, disputes or questions will be able to be dealt with by the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission,” explained Ferguson, declaring the amendments provide greater certainty and fairness for the staff and businesses.
“They strike the right balance – and we thank Minister Burke for taking the time to listen to our concerns and taking actions to address them.”
