Unit to protect employees' rights on BMA sites

Construction Minister Jim McGinty has established a special unit to protect the rights of employees engaged by contractors on BMA sites. 

Mr McGinty said the contract compliance and monitoring unit would make sure principal contractors and sub-contractors working for the BMA complied with industrial awards and statutory obligations. 

"The intention is to minimise the disruption that can be caused in areas such as wage rates, working conditions and workers' compensation," Mr McGinty said. 

"BMA contracts are being amended to reinforce contractors' responsibility for industrial awards, occupational health and safety standards, workers' compensation, and portable long service leave. 

"Continuing non-compliance will result in a contractor being banned from future contracts with the BMA." 

Mr McGinty said the results of the unit's activities would be fed back to the Master Builders' Association, the Australian Federation of Construction Contractors and the relevant unions. 

The setting up of the compliance and monitoring unit follows the establishment in September last year of a similar unit within Homeswest. 

"I have also sought the assistance of Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson and support from the agencies within her portfolio," Mr McGinty said. 

"At a time when the Lawrence Government's building construction program is a major factor in economic recovery and employment, it is important that the industry's workers are treated fairly."