Labor pushes for harsher punishments for underpaying employers

Bosses who rip off workers could be jailed and fined tens of thousands of dollars, under a new plan revealed by Labor. The policy is in response to the scandal that saw workers ripped off thousands by convenience store chain 7/11.

Labor pushes for harsher punishments for underpaying employers

The extent of the systematic underpayment of workers by 7/11 is still unfolding, following extensive allegations against the convenience store chain last year.

 

Now, Labor has revealed a plan it says will stamp out the practice for good.

 

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says big companies like Myer and 7-11 need to be held accountable.

 

"Even in the last 12 months we've seen household names embroiled in scandals where workers are being ripped off. The 7/11 scandal. A major scandal which brings shame upon this country because literally hundreds and hundreds of guest workers are being ripped off."

 

Labor wants bosses who are found to have mistreated workers jailed for up to two years, and fined almost 50-thousand dollars, instead of just over 10-thousand as it currently stands.

 

Overseas workers would also be given extra protections - an avenue to pursue underpayments, even if they don't have a valid visa.

 

Brendan O'Connor is opposition work place relations spokesman and he says they'll also introduce laws to stop employers who liquidate their companies from avoiding paying out money they owe to workers.

 

"We've seen not just backyard operators but indeed companies with household names associated with widespread levels of exploitation and yet to date the Government has been silent. Labor today is proposing a set of laws, if elected, that will protect the interests of working people"

 

Labor is going back to their core and drawing up the battlelines for an election campaign with a focus on industrial relations.

 

At the same time, the Turnbull Government is in negotiations to push the building and construction union watchdog through the senate.

 

The bill is also a possible double dissolution trigger.

 

Michaelia Cash is the Minister for Employment and she says the Australian Building and Construction Commission is in the interests of workers.

 

"Well I say to Mr Shorten and to Mr O'Connor if you're dinkim about protecting workers rights stand with the government tomorrow on workers' rights in the building and construction industry"

 

The newly appointed Small Business Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, is urging the crossbench senators to read Dyson Heydon's royal commission report into union corruption.

 

"Anybody who's read the report, even just the first volume but it'd be great if they read all volumes would see that there's a very real need for some significant change"

 

Michealia Cash says she wants the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill dealt with before March 3.