ONLY LABOR WILL END THE LABOUR HIRE RORTS

The only way to end the labour hire rorts that are ripping off casual workers is to an elect an Albanese Labor Government.

Workers doing the same job at the same site should get the same pay. It’s that simple.

But right now – particularly in mining but also in other industries across the economy – companies are deliberately using labour hire firms that exploit casual workers, undermine job security and undercut wages.

Confidential government documents show that casual workers in Queensland’s coal-mining industry are “consistently” earning less than their permanent colleagues – proving it’s a myth that casuals are getting paid their rightful loading.

It’s a rort that has to end.

That’s why a Labor Government will implement a “same job, same pay” policy as part of our Secure Australian Jobs Plan.

Labor acknowledges today’s disappointing High Court ruling in the case of Workpac vs Rossato. It overturns a series of Federal Court judgements that found labour hire companies could not classify workers as casuals if they actually worked regular, predictable and permanent hours.

The Morrison Government joined with the labour hire firms to get this outcome in the High Court. They wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money to ensure casuals can be ripped off.

But the fact is the judgement’s effect is limited because Mr Morrison already teamed up with One Nation to pass IR changes that extinguish the rights of casual workers. Under the government scheme passed earlier this year employers can benefit from the certainty of a permanent worker – but they don’t need to give them the benefits of permanent work like sick leave or annual leave.

A Labor government will overturn the government’s scheme, ending the rorts and restoring rights to workers.

If workers want to be casuals they can be. But in our meetings with mine workers throughout Queensland it’s clear many casual workers want the security, pay and conditions of the permanent workers doing the same job beside them.

Only Labor has a plan to deliver more secure jobs, better pay and a fairer industrial relations system.


WEDNESDAY, 4 AUGUST 2021