Small business and their workers victims of politics
Monday, 19 July 2010 07:50
Work Choices is dead. However, it also seems that sensible concessions to small business and their workers are also dead. ComeOn thinks there is a place for small business, their workers and supporters of small business to argue for commonsense improvements that have nothing to do with Work Choices. In this regard, mainstream politics is failing some mainstream Australians.
At ComeOn we think that the recent Fair Work Australia decision that stripped school aged workers of their after school jobs because of a stupid three hour minimum requirement is one example of how rules must be changed.
We support the hard work of young people like Leticia Harrison and Matthew Spencer in rural Victoria - and 4 of their work mates - who lost their jobs because the retails hours of their regional employer require they close at 5.30pm on schooldays and the young people can, therefore, only work for two hours after school. The rules say they have to be paid for three hours or lose their jobs, something small business simply can't afford. See our Campaign page
Even the Fair Pay Commission agreed the rule was stupid, but it upheld the stupid rule nonetheless. In another indicator of hour inflexible the current system is, the Fair Pay Commission said that it would not review the rule for another two years in its next round of award simplification.
This is a rule that has none of the elements of Work Choices whatsoever. Even the umpire under Labor's IR framework said this rule was stupid.
These are Labor's rules and the Liberals and Nationals are too concerned to offer sensible changes because of the success of the union fear campaign on Work Choices. At ComeOn, we don't support Work Choices and would campaign against any suggestion of a return to Work Choices. But neither are we frightened to stand up for commonsense compromises that help workers get jobs and help small businesses to employ them.
Stopping kids from earning a few bucks after work because school and retail hours only allow 2 hours rather than three hours work is dopey. This is Australia in the 21st century where we want kids to finish school and also demonstrate a work ethos. Government's talk about earning and learning and the current rules don't stack up, especially in regional areas. Indeed, in many places it gives an advantage to big chains at the expense of mum and dad retailers.
This is one example where organisations like ComeOn Australia provide a sensible role in advocating change that the political parties won't. Whether you are Labor or Liberal, support our campaign to give school kids back their jobs.
Tell us what you think? Do you know of other cases like Leticia and Matthew in your area? Tell us your stories.
Help us mount a fight on this important principle. Join ComeOnAustralia and participate in our campaign.
