Labor’s Same Job Same Pay Bill a Triple Threat…To Business, to Workers and to Economic Confidence

Australia’s peak industry body for the recruitment and staffing sector, RCSA, says Labor’s “Same Job, Same Pay Bill” as it is drafted presents a threat to business, workers and economic confidence.

RCSA CEO Charles Cameron slammed the Bill for its lack of connection with the functioning of Australia’s current labour market.

“This is a Bill that can’t work in a modern Australia. It is disconnected from the reality of how Australians choose to work today. It is out of touch, behind the times and is not reflective of current workers’ experiences.”

“Not only does it demonstrate a lack of understanding around how the labour hire and broader business community operates, it also shows complete disregard for the rights of labour hire workers.

“And to what end ? HILDA research shows that across Australia, on-hire casuals earn an average of 5% more than direct hire casuals.”

Charles expressed concern that the bill proposed to impose enormous administrative burden, logistical and operational challenges for staffing businesses and great uncertainty for employees.

“This Bill proposes to deprive workers and employers of their right to establish agreements that work for them. It mean that employees could have terms and conditions imposed on them that are struck with people who are NOT their employer and with whom they have no ongoing relationship.”

“It slaps an astronomical administrative burden on the staffing industry which would be almost impossible for it to meet.”

RCSA claims the Bill creates an environment where an employee’s entitlements may change from placement to placement and workers – even permanently employed ones – may find they have little to no certainty around the terms or conditions of their employment.

It also places a substantial obligation on many employees to have to be across the detailed nuances in productivity payments, shift arrangements, RDOs, penalty rates, annual and sick leave and allowances each time they take a placement.

“RCSA has repeatedly offered to work constructively with the opposition to provide on-the-ground insights to assist with the effectiveness and workability of policy proposals that impact our industry,” said Mr Cameron.

“Sadly this Bill was developed without consultation and the result is a poorly defined, unworkable mess which highlights the disconnect between Labor and the modern Australian workplace.”