Government acts on casual workers' right to pursue permanent status

Casual workers will formally be able to ask their employers for part-time or full-time work under newly proposed legislation. But the legislation is also aimed at protecting employers.

Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Michaelia Cash. Source: AAP

The Federal Government has proposed a legislation formally allowing casual workers to eventually ask their employers for part-time or full-time work although employers can refuse to convert contracts.

It comes after the Fair Work Commission recently ruled eligible award workers should be allowed to ask for part-time or full-time work after 12 months.

In the proposed legislation, the Government also has included a regulation to prevent so-called "double-dipping" by casual workers, where workers might collect casual pay rates as well as such benefits as sick or annual leave.

Follow SBS Gujarati on Facebook.