Howard's new law: Get the sack and starve

Workers who are unfairly sacked face eight weeks without welfare assistance and have no avenue of appeal under 'welfare to work' laws.

Labor employment spokeswoman Penny Wong says under the industrial relations changes an employer can sack a worker for misconduct and there is nothing the worker can do.

Ms Wong says the worker then faces eight weeks living on charity.

"The Howard Government is leaving these workers like a shag on a rock, having to rely on friends and family, on their kindness," she said.

"And it is an example on how out of touch this Government is that it believes Australian families can sustain themselves for eight weeks without any income support whatsoever."