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GeneralAust govt ignores international law
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said: "At a meeting of the ILO in Geneva Switzerland this week, an ILO Committee called on the Australian Government to 'please explain' how the new IR laws comply with international labour conventions. The Committee for the Application of Standards is one of several senior review panels established by the ILO to monitor adherence to international conventions on fundamental labour rights. The Committee noted that Australia's 'Workplace Relations Act' has now been substantially amended with the passage of the Workplace Relations (Work Choices) Act in late 2005. In strong terms for the tripartite body, the Committee observed 'with regret' that the Australian Government had failed to comply with a previous request to transmit copies of all draft laws to the ILO and noted there had been a lack of prior consultation on the new Australian laws. The Committee also found there were serious concerns regarding the impact that the new IR laws would have on the application of the provision of key international conventions (Nos 87 and 98), and in particular the effect the laws would have on the right to collective bargaining. The Committee requested the Australian Government provide a detailed report to the ILO Committee of Experts for examination this year on the impact of the new Work Choices Act in terms of the obligation to ensure respect for freedom from association and, in particular, the promotion of the right to collective bargaining in Australia." Ms Burrow said, "In the eyes of the ILO the Australian Government is now a serial offender of the very principles that sit at the heart of decent rights for working people. The Employment Minister, Kevin Andrews, attended the ILO this week but failed to respond to any of the very serious criticisms made against the Australian Government in this peak international forum for workplace rights. The Minister's speech to a plenary session of the ILO repeated the Howard Government's mantra that any job is better than no job, implying that 'workforce flexibility' is more important than basic rights for workers and adherence to international human rights conventions. This view is morally wrong - a job without rights or a job at any cost can bring substantial abuse or exploitation. It is also economically shortsighted given that jobs are created when workers and their families enjoy a fair wage with some discretionary income," said Ms Burrow. "Australian workers and their families will see through the Howard Government's prescription for a low-wage, low-protection future where people can be sacked unfairly and have their take home pay cut and basic employment conditions stripped away," said Ms Burrow. MORE INFORMATION: 'The Effects of the WorkChoices Act', Sharan Burrow speech to the ILO, 6 June 2006 - http://www.actu.asn.au/work_rights/news/1149816912_8234.html
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© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/general/20060609_international.html Site proudly designed and engineered by Social Change Online |
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