UNION MOVEMENT DELIVERS MASSIVE WIN FOR WORKERS

The union movement has delivered a massive win for some of Australia’s most vulnerable workers by securing a minimum pay guarantee for fruit pickers.

For years many fruit pickers have been ripped off through the use of unfair “piece rates” that have them earning as little as $3 an hour.

This exploitation should now become a thing of the past after the Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of a case brought by the Australians Workers’ Union to establish minimum rates of pay in the Horticulture Award.

This historic decision means fruit pickers across the country will be entitled to at least the casual minimum wage of $25.41.

This is a huge win for workers, the union movement and regional communities. It’s also a win for those employers who do the right thing but have had to compete with dodgy operators who don’t.

Labor believes workers should get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

If the Morrison-Joyce Government cared about workers they would also welcome this decision.

Unfortunately, this is a government that has repeatedly refused to even back the basic principle that workers shouldn’t be paid less than the minimum wage – so we’re not holding our breath.

This is a government that, after almost a decade in power, has failed to do anything to stop wage theft across the economy, labour hire rip-offs or the dangerous exploitation of gig workers. They have consistently intervened to ensure workers get less job security and less pay.

Only an Albanese Labor Government will deliver more secure jobs, better pay and a fairer system with our Secure Australian Jobs Plan.

THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2021