Vic employers support new IR laws

Date: 27 February 2001

An independent survey of 400 small businesses in Victoria debunks Liberal lies about laws to protect low paid workers. It is the GST that is causing headaches, not the idea of a new industrial tribunal.

Victorian small employers overwhelmingly support the State Government's Fair Employment Bill and think low paid workers need an independent umpire, according to a survey by the Victorian Trades Hall Council.
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Ninety one percent of employers said there should be laws regulating minimum employment conditions for low paid workers, while 93% said there should be an independent umpire in Victoria.

The Bracks Government introduced the Fair Employment Bill to the Victorian Parliament in October, 2000, but the Liberals and Nationals rejected the Bill in the lower house and have signalled their intent to use their majority in the Legislative Council to block it when the Bill returns for debate on 21 March. Liberals and Nationals have been conducting their own "surveys" of business which are more like push polling.

To get a true picture of small business opinion, Victorian Trades Hall Council commissioned a survey, on behalf of the Fair Employment Coalition*. It is the most comprehensive independent survey of Victorian employer attitudes to industrial relations since IR deregulation started in 1992. Four hundred (400) small businesses took part in the telephone survey conducted by independent research company Sweeney Research.

The survey of 276 businesses in the metropolitan Melbourne area and 124 businesses in non-metropolitan areas, also found:

* The GST is hurting small business (83% ranked this as number 1)
* 73% say the Fair Employment Bill should be passed.
* 79% said independent contractors like owner-drivers should have the right to turn to an independent tribunal.
* 75% supported the re-introduction of overtime for non-federal award workers.
* 64% supported the re-introduction of penalty rates for weekends and night work.
* 63% agree that Victorian legislation should allow union officials right of entry to workplaces.

"These very positive survey results debunk the lies and scare-mongering of the Liberals, the Nationals and Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry," said Leigh Hubbard, Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council.

"It's the GST that is hitting business, not things like unfair dismissal or the idea of unions visiting workplaces. Our survey shows that even retailers, whose peak body has been vocal in its opposition to this legislation, support the need for Victorian laws regulating the minimum employment conditions of the 250,000 vulnerable Victorians who don't have the benefit of comprehensive federal awards. They want a level playing field for employers and employees," said Mr Hubbard.

"The Liberals and Nationals are out of touch with the people they pretend to represent. They have to realise that their ideological position which punishes low paid and their families, will backfire badly at the ballot box, just like it did in Western Australia. We will continue to campaign in marginal Liberal seats on this issue until this 12% of the work-force get justice" he said.

*The Fair Employment Coalition comprises Trades Hall, Victorian Council of Social Services, Regional Trades and Labour Councils, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association.

For further information

Contact:	Amanda Tattam/Jarrod Moran
Union:	Victorian Trades Hall Council - OHS Unit
Phone:	03 9662 3511
Email:	jmoran@vthc.org.au
WWW:	http://www.vthc.org.au

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