Latest news with #labourlaws
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Penalty rates set to be secured
Sabra Lane: More than two million workers will have their penalty rates locked in under new laws being introduced into federal parliament today. The laws will stop an attempt by big retailers like supermarkets from negotiating to pay their workers a larger salary instead of penalty rates for overtime and weekend work. The major retailers lobby opposes the change, saying businesses want some certainty in what they pay their staff. Political reporter Isobel Roe. Isobel Roe: The Australian Retailers Association, which represents big supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths, wants to see less of a reliance on penalty rates. It's applied to the Fair Work Commission, proposing to allow some staff to opt out of penalty rates, overtime and some allowances in favour of a 35 per cent pay rise. But federal Labor will introduce legislation today to prevent that. That move is backed by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association. Their national secretary is Gerard Dwyer. Gerard Dwyer: The legislation will provide proper protection for lower paid workers working unsociable hours in the service sector like retail, like hospitality. Isobel Roe: The Retailers Association says it's not trying to remove penalty rates. It argues workers opting into an annual salary would gain financial stability. And businesses would have more certainty on worker wages, improving productivity. The shop union's Gerard Dwyer rejects that. Gerard Dwyer: It's got nothing to do with improving productivity. People are saying, oh, this will be simpler. But that's not the motivation. The motivation is to reduce the payment to lower paid workers who work unsociable hours. Isobel Roe: It's rare for the federal government to intervene in a Fair Work Commission matter. But in a statement, Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says the government wants to protect the penalty rates of 2.6 million of the country's low paid workers. The legislation is likely to receive the support of the Greens, although there's been no decision made by the party yet. The Coalition's industrial relations spokesman, Tim Wilson, has been briefed on the bill and is not yet guaranteeing his party's support either. Tim Wilson: When the minister was asked whether it was going to have an impact on small business, she gave a very explicit firm commitment that it wouldn't. But we're not going to know that till we have a clear consultation with small business and hear that from them. No penalty rates are being paid on jobs that don't exist. Isobel Roe: Not all small businesses see it that way, like Nat Latter, who owns a bookstore in Perth. Nat Latter: We choose to stay closed on a public holiday because we don't make enough money on those days to cover penalty rates. However, we're happy to do that. We're happy to have the day off and for other organisations they might make a different choice. Isobel Roe: Labor's bill will be introduced to the lower house later today. Sabra Lane: Isobel Roe there.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Don't play the fool with workers': HR minister warns Johor bus firm after strike over pay cuts affects Causeway commuters
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Human Resources Minister Steven Sim today issued a terse warning to the Johor-based bus company whose workers went on strike yesterday, vowing action on claims the firm had allegedly violated labour laws by cutting drivers' wages. Sim said the same operator had been under Labour Department scrutiny for some time for having breached the Employment Act in the past — and this latest allegation may have been the last straw that would prompt swift and stern punishment. 'I want to give a warning to this particular company: Do not play with our Employment Act. This is not the first time this company has a case,' the minister said while delivering a speech at the launch of World Bank's report on inclusive employment practices here. 'We had an operation, I think, last week or two weeks ago, and they [had not] complied with the Employment Act so we are initiating investigation against them under this Act. 'So don't play the fool with our workers,' he added. Thousands of Malaysian workers commuting to Singapore were affected yesterday after some 100 shuttle bus drivers to the republic went on strike starting at 5am. Berita Harian reported that Malaysians and other visitors to Singapore were stranded at major bus stops as well as the Sultan Iskandar Building. Out of options, some workers opted to walk over the border along the Johor Causeway. A bus driver told the paper that the strike was due to unhappiness over wage cuts, claiming that the bus company involved had cut their salaries by nearly a third. Previously, the driver who only wished to be known as Atoi said, bus drivers were earning around RM2,800 to RM2,900 but were now being paid less than RM2,000.
SBS Australia
16-07-2025
- SBS Australia
Salaries below minimum standards, non-English speaking background - worse in the workplace
LISTEN TO SBS Indonesian 16/07/2025 05:42 Indonesian It's one of the key findings of a Melbourne University report showing 15 to 30 year olds are experiencing widespread breaches of labour laws. Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 3 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to our podcasts .
Al Jazeera
09-07-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Why are Indian workers angry with Narendra Modi?
Millions of people have gone on strike in India against new government labour and business policies. Millions of people are on strike across India, shutting down banking, construction, manufacturing and postal services, and disrupting public transport, among other sectors. Trade unions say they have united to protest against new labour laws and a long-standing policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to privatise public services and favour big business over workers. list of 3 items list 1 of 3 list 2 of 3 list 3 of 3 end of list Why are people so angry with these policies? And what does this mean for Modi's government and his economic policies known as 'Modinomics'? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Amarjeet Kaur – national secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress Adil Hossain – political anthropologist and assistant professor at Azim Premji University Daniel Francis – political analyst and political brand consultant
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Eight arrested for entering Oman illegally
Muscat: Eight expats have been arrested for entering the Sultanate of Oman illegally and violating labour and foreign residency laws in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. Royal Oman Police (ROP), said :"The Police Command in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, in cooperation with the Ibra Special Tasks Police Unit, arrested eight Ethiopian nationals for entering the country illegally and violating labor and foreign residency laws. Legal procedures are being completed against them."
