MORRISON MUST NOT FORGET INSECURE WORKERS

The Morrison Government must not forget insecure workers in its second stimulus package.
 
New research this week found 3.7 million Australian workers have no access to paid leave or the other protections of permanent employment – including casuals, contractors, freelancers, sole traders and gig economy workers.

Some are already seeing their hours, their jobs and their livelihoods disappear. They are some of the lowest-paid and most vulnerable people in our nation, and many will have no savings to fall back on.
 
So many Australians are worried about their jobs right now. But these people are particularly vulnerable. The Morrison Government must find ways to make sure they don’t slip between the cracks.
 
The Government must first ensure they are properly supported if they get sick or need to self-isolate. Otherwise they will continue to turn up to work, hindering our efforts to contain this outbreak.

Workers cannot be forced to choose between protecting their colleagues and paying their bills.

Labor applauds all those companies who have announced better support for casuals throughout this crisis. But the Government must also play a central role.
 
Christian Porter’s recent comments – in which he suggested casuals didn’t need extra support because they had put money aside in case of a global pandemic – show the Government struggles to understand the plight of insecure workers.
 
Labor will not rest until they get it.

SATURDAY, 21 MARCH 2020