PSI

PSI - our International Union for Public Sector Workers

World P S Union blasts Feds new I R Laws

The International Public Sector Union sends message to Howard on I R changes - " harmful " to Australia

By David Carey
Federal Secretary (SPSF Group) - CPSU Joint National Secretary

Public Services International (PSI) is a global trade union federation that represents 20 million women and men working in the public services around the world.

After criticising the harm to the basic rights of Australian workers, and the families living standeards, Hans Engelberts the General Secretary of the PSI said that the Government's new laws are going to further push Australia name into the mud among the international community.

" These proposals will place Australia in further breach of the fundamental international labour standards established by ILO Conventions, whose ratification and implementation should form the basis of all countries' industrial relations policies.

If implemented, the proposed changes would leave Australia at the bottom of OECD countries with respect to protection of basic workers' rights"

See below for Full text of the Letter

The Hon. John Howard MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA

Fax: (612) 6273 4100

File Reference: HE/NW/231.02.01.02
Contact Name: Dominique Latham - Tel: +33 (0)4 50 40 11 59

8 August, 2005

Dear Prime Minister,

Proposed workplace legislation changes

Public Services International (PSI) is a global trade union federation that represents 20 million women and men working in the public services around the world. PSI joins the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in expressing strong concern over your Government's plans for drastic changes to workplace laws. We believe that these changes would do significant harm to Australia's reputation and standing in the international community.

We are greatly alarmed at your proposals, including abolishing protection from unfair dismissal for some 4 million workers employed in companies with less than 100 staff. This is discriminatory and will lead to companies re-structuring their operations in order to escape legal obligations.

The plan to change the way minimum wages are set, by taking away the power of the independent Australian Industrial Relations Commission to determine minimum wages, will harm Australia's lowest paid workers, leaving many struggling workers and their families worse off.

Your government's proposal to keep unions out of workplaces would further undermine the right of workers to bargain collectively with their employer, and contravenes ILO Convention 98. Australia already stands in breach of this fundamental Convention, and the planned new legislation will increase the gap between Australian law and the country's international obligations.

In addition, we are concerned that:
· by reducing allowable matters in awards to only 5 conditions, many workers will lose important entitlements such as weekend, shift and public holiday rates of pay;
· by ensuring that more workers are forced onto individual contracts, workers who do not wish to sign such contracts will be intimidated through fear of dismissal.

These proposals will place Australia in further breach of the fundamental international labour standards established by ILO Conventions, whose ratification and implementation should form the basis of all countries' industrial relations policies. If implemented, the proposed changes would leave Australia at the bottom of OECD countries with respect to protection of basic workers' rights.

Over the last month, the Australian people have shown great popular opposition to these proposals. We urge you to give proper consideration to their concerns, and abandon your proposals in the interests of the Australian people. We are deeply concerned at these proposals and pledge our full support to the Australian Council of Trade Unions and their members in opposing these plans.

Yours sincerely,

HANS ENGELBERTS
General Secretary

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005