1 million workers miss out on government protection

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April 06 2020
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Casual workers will need to be employed for at least 12 months to be eligible to receive the government’s new coronavirus wage subsidy program, a government official has warned.

1 million workers miss out on government protection

Attorney-General and Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has ruled out broadening the scope of the $130 billion scheme, which will see eligible workers receive $1,500 each fortnight.

“Even with expenditure of this extraordinary size, there has to be some definitions and some lines drawn,” he said

Under the JobKeeper scheme, which is designed to keep employees in work, employers are eligible for $1,500 a fortnight for six months.

While the ACTU wanted the government scheme to protect all workers, Mr Porter said it was too broad for the government to work with.

Secretary of the ACTU Sally McManus has previously welcomed the wage subsidy but wants it to go further.

“Firstly it should be backdated so all those who lost their jobs can be re employed. Secondly it needs to apply to all employers both big and small. Thirdly it must apply to all workers, whether they be casual workers, visa workers, contract workers or sole traders. Finally, if it is to be capped it should be capped at a generous level, no less than the median wage of $1,375 a week, Ms McManus previously said.

This definition could impact as many as 1.1 million casual workers who have not been working for their current employer for one year or more.

Mr Porter ruled out relaxing the requirement for a regular attachment to an employer over 12 months, saying the ACTU’s proposal was too broad.

“There has to be a line drawn,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Legislation will be debated in Parliament on Wednesday as bureaucrats scramble to draft the laws.

The Morrison government wants to change the Fair Work Act to enable the temporary measures, but Labor and the unions fear unscrupulous companies could abuse the amendments.

About the author

Cameron is a journalist for Momentum Media's nestegg and Smart Property Investment. He enjoys giving Aussies practical financial tips and tricks to help grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. As a self-confessed finance nerd, Cameron enjoys chatting with industry experts and commentators to leverage their insights to grow your portfolio.

About the author

Cameron is a journalist for Momentum Media's nestegg and Smart Property Investment. He enjoys giving Aussies practical financial tips and tricks to help grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. As a self-confessed finance nerd, Cameron enjoys chatting with industry experts and commentators to leverage their insights to grow your portfolio.

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