CALL
FOR AGE BAN ON RIP-OFF AWA’s
17
August 2005
SA Unions wants
new standards to stop young workers from being ripped off by
exploitative Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA’s).
It follows a
landmark case in the Industrial Court where 15 year old student
Deanna Renella successfully challenged an illegal AWA that stripped
her of annual and sick leave, denied her shift and overtime
penalties and underpaid her by 25% compared to the state award.
SA Unions
Secretary Janet Giles says safeguards are needed to protect young
workers.
“The Industrial
Court pointed out the massive disadvantage young people face trying
to negotiate fair working conditions with experienced
businesspeople. We don’t think it’s fair that young people should
have to sign unfair and in some cases illegal AWA’s in order to gain
employment.”
“We think a
better option is to ensure all young people must be employed on
awards. Individual contracts should not be allowed until say age
20.”
“This would
offer basic protection to young people and stamp out the rampant
exploitation that is affecting thousands of young workers” Ms Giles
says.
“We don’t accept
the government argument that AWA’s are monitored by the Office of
the Employment Advocate. The OEA failed Ms Renella, and no doubt
continues to fail other young workers. In Ms Renella’s case, her AWA
wasn’t even lodged with the OEA, itself an illegal act. In other
cases, the OEA has endorsed what we believe are dubious and
inadequate compromises, such as offering goods in lieu of pay.”
“This sort of
flaky and unfair behaviour is not on. Young people deserve
protection, not exploitation. Federal Industrial Minister Kevin
Andrews has been quoted in the media saying he agrees with the
Industrial Court’s decision in Ms Renella’s case. That’s an
acknowledgement that exploitation is occurring. The onus is on him
and the Prime Minister to stop it happening” Ms Giles says.