IR reforms protect young and vulnerable

18/02/02
The risk of exploitation of young workers will be minimised under the State Government's new industrial relations reforms.
Labour Relations Minister John Kobelke said that while the greatest benefit would be fair remuneration, young people stood to gain in a variety of other ways.
Unlike workplace agreements, with the new Employer-Employee Agreements:

• employment cannot be conditional upon acceptance of an agreement;
• agreements can only be signed by someone under the age of 18 with the co-signing of an adult such as a parent or guardian;
• a cooling-off period applies;
• breaches can be dealt with by the DOCEP Inspectorate; and
• employees' interests can be monitored by representative unions.

"Young people are vulnerable to unscrupulous employers," Mr Kobelke said.
"Such employers are a small minority but the State Government is determined to ensure that underhand practices do not scar young working lives and do not continue to corrode community standards."
The Government's labour relations reform package is expected to be introduced into State Parliament next week.
Under the package, fair wages will be returned to the jobs that attract a high percentage of young people. The following case study compares minimum wages for a young 15-year-old working as a casual cashier at a general retail store.
Hours worked: After school on Wednesday 4pm - 7.30pm; Saturday 7am - 2pm; and Sunday 11am - 5.30pm; with a half hour lunch break on Saturday and Sunday.

Under an Employer-Employee Agreement, there will be flexibility to negotiate conditions while ensuring employees are not disadvantaged in comparison to award conditions.
"Western Australia's economy must be built on fair wages and conditions. To do otherwise is to commit future generations to third world standards," Mr Kobelke said.
"There is no objective evidence in western liberal economies that lowering wages increases employment."
Minister's office: 9222 9211