LaborNET Sites |
 |
|
|
ILO Report and Peter Reith
Date: 31 March 2000
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Arch Bevis, said today that the Howard Government?s rejection of international criticism of its labour laws matches its handling of Australia?s seafarers? standards.
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Arch Bevis, said today that the Howard Government?s rejection of international criticism of its labour laws matches its handling of Australia?s seafarers? standards.
Mr Bevis was commenting on criticism overnight by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of the government and Workplace Relations Minister Reith over the Government?s role in the 1998 waterfront dispute - which comes after a long and thorough investigation by the ILO.
?It?s a damning indictment of the way that the Howard/Reith industrial relations system operates,? Mr Bevis said.
?The manner in which Minister Reith has dismissed the ILO?s report is typical of a government which is quite willing to flout other ILO conventions.
?At the moment, Australia is currently in breach of the convention concerning the seafaring industry.
?The Minister?s response to that last year was to initiate steps to withdraw from that convention. So, rather than comply with the minimum standards for seafarers, we?re withdrawing from it.
?The Government displays a continual contempt for the ILO and the international standards that Australia in the past - under both Labor and Liberal Governments - has adhered to. Peter Reith has actually downgraded our presence at the ILO since this Government was first elected in 1996.
?Last year was the first time the government had bothered to be represented by a minister at the ILO since it came to office.
?In fact, when given the opportunity to address the ILO last year, Mr Reith used that opportunity to berate the ILO.
?It is time that the Howard Government took its head out of the sand and restored Australia to a place of leadership in the international community.
?Australia should be at the forefront of international labour standards as it has been for decades. The sad reality is that this will not happen under this government,? Mr Bevis said.
For further information
|
