Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Religious leaders speak out against IR changes

A number of religious leaders have recently publicly opposed the Howard Government Industrial Relations plans.

Bishop Manning has written to the Prime Minister raising his fears about the changes which he says "promises little joy for the poor".

Uniting Church Reverend Elenie Poulos has raised concerns about the changes to the minimum wage, warning that the most vulnerable would be forgotten in the 'rush for profit'.

Archdeacon Derek Howe from the Anglican Church spoke of the sacredness of Sundays, how a strong family life required time and rest and how deregulating work laws attacked these basic goods.

Michael McDonald from the Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations spoke of how both the current and previous pontiff believed the right to work with dignity was at the core of a fair and good society.

David Knoll, president of the NSW Jewish Board of deputies, claimed Moses was the first advocate of workers rights - the founder of a faith that has always been based on building work around family and not the other way around.

"Moses taught us that the obligation of every employer was to create the conditions to allow family life to flourish," Knoll said.

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