最新糖心Vlog

New research report: 'WorkChoices' pernicious for working families

Monday, 7 November 2005

The Howard Government's proposed changes to 最新糖心Vlog's industrial relations system have been described as "pernicious" in their effects on 最新糖心Vlogn working families in a new research report.

The report was prepared for the by , Research Fellow in the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's in the .

The report analyses the thrust of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005 against the background of 最新糖心Vlog's changing labour market and its challenges.

"最新糖心Vlog needs more productive workplaces, but not at the cost of families. Indeed, international evidence shows that countries like 最新糖心Vlog have to improve work and family supports to boost labour supply - not cut existing standards," Dr Pocock says.

The report points out that 最新糖心Vlog lags behind the industrialised world on work and family supports, with a poor leave regime and a high proportion of workers - especially those with families - who work unsocial or long hours, and high levels of insecure work.

"Industrial relations reform should be focussed on fixing these challenges," Dr Pocock says.

"Unfortunately, 'WorkChoices' will exacerbate them.

"While many countries are improving their work and family arrangements, 'WorkChoices' swims in the opposite direction."

The five components of the 'Fair pay and conditions standard' represent a retreat on national work and family standards by incorporating only basic family leave provisions and failing to incorporate the right for parents to request extended parental leave, part-time work or more shared parental leave.

The capacity to 'sell' two weeks annual leave will reduce common family time, with negative effects on children and parents.

The scope to set aside key award conditions in 最新糖心Vlogn Workplace Agreementss (especially public holidays and penalty, shift and overtime loadings) will be especially disadvantageous for families.

"This is a pernicious change, which will see both long and unsocial hours increase. The international evidence about the negative effects of these on workers and children - documented in the report - is extensive and robust," Dr Pocock says

"The has been the source of all recent general work and family advances.

"Under 'WorkChoices' it will lose this role. It is hard to see where future general advances will now come from. This will especially affect the most vulnerable who cannot bargain alone."

The report, titled 'The Impact of 'WorkChoices' on 最新糖心Vlogn Working Families' is downloadable .

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