The NSW government has moved to shift young workers back into the state
IR system to protect them from the federal government’s extreme
Industrial Relations laws.
John Della Bosca spoke to Ben Kruse at the USU Delegates Conference: "The NSW government is taking the opportunity to introduce legislation to ensure minimum protections for some of our most vulnerable workers."
NSW IR Minister John Della Bosca announced that under the proposed new laws (which use the state's powers over child protection) employers would have to provide all NSW workers aged under 18 years with at least the minimum terms and conditions as set out in the relevant NSW awards.
USU General Secretary Ben Kruse said that any move to protect vulnerable young workers is a step in the right direction, "The federal laws do not guarantee overtime and penalty rates, which are protected under state awards," said Ben Kruse.
The new law means that regardless of whether a young person is employed under a state or federal award, they will:
• have access to unfair dismissal rights • have wages and conditions provided by NSW awards and legislation, and • will not have to bargain individually to maintain existing penalties, allowances, training pay and training leave.
