Unions are urging workers to call the workers’ rights hotline on 1300 486 466 if they have been pressured into contracting arrangements that rob them of entitlements like sick and holiday leave.
A relaxation of rules around independent contracting by the Abbott Government will see more employees exploited under sham contracting arrangements, the ACTU warned today.
Incoming Small Business Minister Bruce Billson is reported saying he will instruct the Australian Tax Office to reverse a crackdown on contracting introduced by Labor.
But regulations around contracting should not be weakened rather tightened further to make sure employees aren’t ripped off and contracting arrangements are genuine, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
“Sham contracting is one of the dirty secrets of the modern Australian workplace,” said Ms Kearney.
“Hiring people as contractors when they are really employees robs them of any job security and the conditions Australian workers should be able to expect, like sick leave and holiday leave.
“Employers are able to avoid many legal responsibilities.
“While contracting is appropriate in some industries where services are in demand, it is also rife in industries like hairdressing, cleaning, call centres and textiles – where workers have little choice or bargaining power.
“It’s all very well to encourage self-employment, however where people are effectively working as employees, they deserve all the protections afforded to employees by the law.
“We encourage any worker who is missing out on job security and entitlements because they’ve been pressured into a contracting arrangement to call the Australian Unions hotline on 1300 486 466 for support and advice.”
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