ANOTHER WORKER EXPLOITATION CASE EXPOSES GOVERNMENT’S DISREGARD FOR WORKERS

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s report into underpayments of contract cleaners at the majority of Woolworths supermarkets in Tasmania exposes the Government’s continual failure to address worker exploitation in supply chains and highlights the significant deficiencies in their own 2017 Vulnerable Workers’ Bill.

While we welcome efforts by Woolworths to change their practices to take some responsibility to ensure compliance by their contractors, and belatedly support these workers, Labor continues to be concerned that vulnerable workers along the supply chain are being seriously underpaid and exploited, and the Government is doing nothing to address this problem.

The report reveals that “rates of pay being offered by sub-contractors to supermarket cleaners were in some cases up to $26 below the applicable hourly rate.”

Labor has long held concerns about the deficiencies in the government’s Vulnerable Workers Bill which has now been further exposed through this latest example of exploitation.

At the time the Bill was debated, Labor’s proposed amendments to strengthen the Bill would have made it easier to prosecute big companies – the economic decision makers - for exploitation along their supply chain. The Labor amendments were opposed by the Turnbull Government, meaning many big business who have business models where there is systemic underpayments will continue to be able to escape liability.

Will the new junior Minister, Craig Laundy be prepared to even comment on this issue let alone take any action? We won’t hold our breath.

 

This Government isn’t interested in the wellbeing or safety of workers, they are interested in quick political wins.

 

Under the Turnbull Government, we are headed towards an easy to hire, easy to fire society – where vulnerable workers are too easily exploited - which is distorting job security and income distribution.

In the absence of leadership from this Government, Federal Labor will continue to lead the way to stamp out underpayment and exploitation.