Press Release
ACTU Media Release - Annual leave entitlements could be cut to two weeks under new IR Laws.
Tuesday July 05, 2005
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ACTU President Sharan Burrow
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Employers may be able to cut the annual holiday entitlements of Australian workers from four to just two weeks a year under the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws.
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said today that the Government was still considering whether it would allow employers to use individual contracts to reduce workers' annual leave entitlements from four to two weeks.
Under the Government's plans an employer would be able to insist that all new employees sign an individual contract, which provides just two weeks annual leave.
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
"What the Government is proposing is the beginning of the end of the family holiday for working Australians.
"The Minister insists employers would be required to pay 'compensation' to employees but unions fear that over time Australian workers will lose their right to four weeks holidays.
"The ACTU is calling on the Federal Government to guarantee working Australians that their annual holiday will be protected.
"Despite the barbeque-stopper rhetoric, family time on weekends and holidays may be relegated to the scrap heap.
"Under the Government's industrial relations plans employees face being pushed onto individual contracts that could cut their pay and job entitlements and around four million employees will also lose protection from unfair dismissal.
"Today's news that the Government is considering cutting annual leave entitlements to just two weeks as a new legal minimum is bound to add to the unease that is already out there in the community.
"These changes will take working families backwards when they are just struggling to keep their heads above water.
"The Prime Minister should now think again," said ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
POLL RESULTS SHOW WIDESPREAD CONCERN
Poll results also released today show a major downturn in support for the Government and that there is widespread concern in the community about the Howard Government's workplace reforms.
For more info:
* Industrial reforms take toll on Coalition - http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/industrial-reforms-take-toll-on-coalition/2005/07/04/1120329384253.html
* Howard's honeymoon over - http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15823829-2,00.html
For further information please contact:
Last modified 2005-11-07 09:17 AM
