Published Friday, 31 August, 2007 at 04:08 PM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
VULNERABLE WOMEN AT RISK UNDER WORKCHOICES
A coordinated push by State Governments for more industrial safeguards to protect vulnerable women workers from new Federal workplace laws won unanimous support at a meeting of Australian women’s ministers today.
Queensland Minister for Women, Margaret Keech, said three papers presented at today’s Ministerial Conference on the Status of Women in Hobart assessed a growing pool of research showing women were the biggest losers under Howard’s industrial relations changes.
Ministers agreed to an all-government working group to research and recommend industrial safeguards to protect vulnerable women workers.
All State Ministers expressed disappointment at the absence of Federal Minister for Women, Julie Bishop, from discussions about how to address the problem.
“Ms Bishop was an apology today, and it’s regrettable she was not able to present the Howard Government’s position,” Mrs Keech said.
“Papers presented at today’s meeting showed WorkChoices had a disproportionate negative impact on women.
“There is only one choice for vulnerable women workers under Howard’s Work Choice laws – worse pay and conditions.
“The move toward individual contracts and Australia Workplace Agreements is likely to widen the gap between male and female take home pay and set back hard-won advances towards pay equity for women.
“A Queensland inquiry found that under WorkChoices, workers were likely to lose rights such as paid maternity leave, long service leave, unpaid parental leave, superannuation and flexible working conditions – as well as penalty rates on casual jobs.
“It also found young women were particularly vulnerable because they lacked experience and the ability to bargain.
“Research commissioned by Industrial Relations Victoria found the gender pay gap in the private sector widened by 1.3 per cent from February and November last year – wiping out 70 per cent of the gains for women in the past decade.
“NSW research found losing unfair dismissal protection hurt low-paid women. The result is women out of work and families in crisis.
“In Western Australia, while the strong economy is cushioning some of the impacts of WorkChoices, women are reporting greater uncertainty in their own jobs.”
Mrs Keech said women make up the bulk of workers on award regulated industries, such as tourism and hospitality, retail trade and health and community services.
“They are also more likely to be casual, contract or part-time workers. WorkChoices has accelerated the trend away from permanent jobs leaving women in precarious employment arrangements,” Mrs Keech said.
“Now is the time for the Howard Government to act and make the changes needed to protect Australian women and families.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
Queensland Minister for Women, Margaret Keech, said three papers presented at today’s Ministerial Conference on the Status of Women in Hobart assessed a growing pool of research showing women were the biggest losers under Howard’s industrial relations changes.
Ministers agreed to an all-government working group to research and recommend industrial safeguards to protect vulnerable women workers.
All State Ministers expressed disappointment at the absence of Federal Minister for Women, Julie Bishop, from discussions about how to address the problem.
“Ms Bishop was an apology today, and it’s regrettable she was not able to present the Howard Government’s position,” Mrs Keech said.
“Papers presented at today’s meeting showed WorkChoices had a disproportionate negative impact on women.
“There is only one choice for vulnerable women workers under Howard’s Work Choice laws – worse pay and conditions.
“The move toward individual contracts and Australia Workplace Agreements is likely to widen the gap between male and female take home pay and set back hard-won advances towards pay equity for women.
“A Queensland inquiry found that under WorkChoices, workers were likely to lose rights such as paid maternity leave, long service leave, unpaid parental leave, superannuation and flexible working conditions – as well as penalty rates on casual jobs.
“It also found young women were particularly vulnerable because they lacked experience and the ability to bargain.
“Research commissioned by Industrial Relations Victoria found the gender pay gap in the private sector widened by 1.3 per cent from February and November last year – wiping out 70 per cent of the gains for women in the past decade.
“NSW research found losing unfair dismissal protection hurt low-paid women. The result is women out of work and families in crisis.
“In Western Australia, while the strong economy is cushioning some of the impacts of WorkChoices, women are reporting greater uncertainty in their own jobs.”
Mrs Keech said women make up the bulk of workers on award regulated industries, such as tourism and hospitality, retail trade and health and community services.
“They are also more likely to be casual, contract or part-time workers. WorkChoices has accelerated the trend away from permanent jobs leaving women in precarious employment arrangements,” Mrs Keech said.
“Now is the time for the Howard Government to act and make the changes needed to protect Australian women and families.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005