Forum

 
  Back to OzPolitic.com   Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
  Forum Home Album HelpSearch Recent Rules LoginRegister  
 

Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised (Read 669 times)
whiteknight
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 7595
melbourne
Gender: male
Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Jan 16th, 2019 at 3:46am
 
Renewed calls for wage theft to be criminalised   Smiley 
January 15 2019
The Big Smoke
After yet more examples of workers getting short-changed, many are calling for the theft of wages to be enshrined in criminal law.





A 2014 investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman found that the convenience store chain 7-Eleven had engaged in schemes to exploit workers by paying them below award rates, denying them holiday loadings and even failing to pay them for time worked. The case was referred to the Federal Court of Australia which found that 7-Eleven outlets had “systematically exploited” workers and later attempted to conceal the activity by generating false invoices and even attempting to bribe employees not to give evidence. A number of fines were issued last year as a result of the conduct, including almost $200,000 to the owner of one Brisbane store. But 7-Eleven is not the only large company to have been found to illegally exploit workers – findings have also been made against Dominos and Caltex.

There have also been widespread reports of backpackers and overseas nannies being illegally exploited by Australian employers, especially in the agricultural industry.

The conduct has led to calls for new laws which criminalise the act of intentionally underpaying workers, with a view to deterring employers from illegally exploiting their staff.


The ABC admits underpaying staff  Sad

It has now been reported that the ABC recently admitted underpaying up to 2,500 casual staff members over the past six years, after concerns were raised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

The underpayments relate to penalties, allowances and loading entitlements of “flat-rate” casual staff, and come in the wake of earlier admissions the broadcaster underpaid one casual employee in its Brisbane news division by $19,000.

It is important to note, however, that the overpayments are not alleged to be deliberate – unlike in the 7-Eleven case – and that the broadcaster has undertaken to conduct a “detailed review” of the entitlements with a view to repaying the shortfall.


Criminalising wage theft  Smiley

Last year, a group of Victorian Unions campaigned to make “wage theft” a criminal offence, pushing for legislation that would prescribe a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for the deliberate underpayment of workers.

Indeed, the problem of underpaying workers is significant across a range of Australian industries – with a report by the Fair Work Ombudsman finding that nearly half of the restaurants, catering businesses, cafes and fast food outlets surveyed had at least one wage contravention.

And research suggests that one in five younger workers are getting paid below the minimum wage, and that the figure is even higher for temporary and migrant workers.

According to Industry Super Australia, a one-third of eligible workers in Australia are being underpaid their superannuation entitlements.  Sad

The first port of call for workers who think they are being underpaid illegally is often their industry union. But while unions can be vocal champions of worker rights, they have no legal power to enforce compliance, let alone impose sanctions.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is the national body set up to deal with workplace disputes, but it is also significantly under-resourced, lacking the “teeth” needed to address what is becoming a growing problem.  Sad

Figures from 2014/2015 suggest the Ombudsman received 14,291 reports of underpayment, but only launched proceedings in 42 of those cases.

Those in favour of criminalisation argue that current penalties are not a strong enough deterrent – and that employers will only “think twice” about illegally exploiting staff if they understand they may face criminal charges.

Proponents of such laws also point out the hypocrisy of having criminal charges that apply to the situation where an employee embezzles or otherwise steals from an employer, but not when the employer effectively steals from an employee.


Victoria considering criminalisation  Smiley

While the Victorian Government is currently considering whether to criminalise the act of “wage theft”, and the Queensland Council of unions is putting pressure on the Queensland Government to do so, there does not appear to be any momentum for a similar move in our state.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Valkie
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 16088
Central Coast
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #1 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 4:48am
 
It should be

After all, stealing from your master (boss) is illegal and comes with gaol.

But it seems that stealing from slaves is quite ok.
Back to top
 

I HAVE A DREAM
A WONDERFUL, PEACEFUL, BEAUTIFUL DREAM.
A DREAM OF A WORLD THAT HAS NEVER KNOWN ISLAM
A DREAM OF A WORLD FREE FROM THE HORRORS OF ISLAM.

SUCH A WONDERFUL DREAM
O HOW I WISH IT WERE TRU
 
IP Logged
 
macman
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 2435
australia
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #2 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 6:02am
 
Just remember, if the unions had not raised this non-ending 'stealing' of wages and entitlements by employers it would never see the light of day. The government and it's agencies do nothing to stop these criminals and need to be bought to account. GO SALLY.

p.s. Just watch the Liar come along to defend the scum and attack the unions (cause thats what they told her to do at liberal HQ). Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
aquascoot
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 32658
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #3 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 7:29am
 
indeed.

and any employee caught doing shopping, or surfing the internet or posting on social media or dropping into the TAB for a bet during work hours will also be charged with theft.

and any public servant caught gossiping at the water bubbler will be dismissed.

that should result in a government shut-down  Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
whiteknight
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 7595
melbourne
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #4 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:10am
 
According to Industry Super Australia, a one-third of eligible workers in Australia are being underpaid their superannuation entitlements.   Sad
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
stunspore
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 5088
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #5 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:28am
 
aquascoot wrote on Jan 16th, 2019 at 7:29am:
indeed.

and any employee caught doing shopping, or surfing the internet or posting on social media or dropping into the TAB for a bet during work hours will also be charged with theft.

and any public servant caught gossiping at the water bubbler will be dismissed.

that should result in a government shut-down  Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy


Unless ofc, company policy allows for that.  A policy that would be approved as it would improve productivity via morale and appropriate rest breaks.

Whoops forgot.  Aqua is in favour of vibrating the need for drinks and toilets.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
stunspore
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 5088
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #6 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:29am
 
Coalition will legalise wage theft anyway.  They already cut penalty rates and letting super be unpaid.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
cods
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 88048
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #7 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:32am
 
dont worry..
SUPER BILL is round the corner   

are you not listening to him..

he will fix everything..just hang in there

not long now..yippee!
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Its time
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Boot libs out

Posts: 25639
Gender: female
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #8 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 9:24am
 
cods wrote on Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:32am:
dont worry..
SUPER BILL is round the corner   

are you not listening to him..

he will fix everything..just hang in there

not long now..yippee!


Four short months before we drop punt this incompetent rabble to rubbish bins of history  Smiley
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
greggerypeccary
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 130910
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #9 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 9:29am
 
cods wrote on Jan 16th, 2019 at 8:32am:
dont worry..
SUPER BILL is round the corner   

are you not listening to him..

he will fix everything..just hang in there

not long now..yippee!


Nobody expects him to fix everything, but he'll certainly do something about reducing wage theft, whereas members of the coalition will do anything they can to make sure employers continue to break industrial laws (and deny employees their basic human rights).

It's just in their DNA.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
whiteknight
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 7595
melbourne
Gender: male
Re: Renewed Calls For Wage Theft To Be Criminalised
Reply #10 - Jan 16th, 2019 at 10:00am
 
Dodgy Employers To Face Jail For Wage Theft   Smiley

    Premier of Victoria

26 May 2018



Employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers will face up to 10 years jail under new laws to be introduced by a re-elected Andrews Labor Government.

Too many Victorians are being exploited by unscrupulous employers, with the Fair Work Ombudsman recovering millions of dollars in unpaid wages and entitlements for workers every year.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will make sure all Victorians get paid properly for the work they do and dodgy employers get more than a slap on the wrist, with new legislation making wage theft a criminal offence.

Under the proposed new laws, employers who deliberately withhold wages, superannuation or other employee entitlements, falsify employment records, or fail to keep employment records will face fines of up to $190,284 for individuals, $951,420 for companies and up to 10 years jail.

These are tough penalties but they are fair penalties and reflect how seriously we take the exploitation of workers in our state.

The new laws will also make it faster, cheaper and easier for workers to get the money they are owed by their employer through the courts. For claims of up to $50,000, court filing fees will be lowered, claims will be heard within 30 days and court processes will be simplified.

To make sure employers follow court orders, an automatic enforcement model will be introduced that puts the onus on the employer to demonstrate they have complied with orders and paid the entitlements owed to workers.

Wage theft offences will be investigated and prosecuted by the Victorian Wage Inspectorate – a new employment watchdog the Labor Government is establishing to promote fair industrial relations practices and better education, compliance and enforcement of state-based employment laws.

The Inspectorate was funded with $22 million in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 and will have resources to enforce new long service leave laws, child employment and owner-driver laws. It will also oversee labour hire licencing and enforcement, and establish portable long service leave for contract cleaning, community services and security industry workers.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will consult with employers and unions over the proposed laws.

Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews   Smiley

“Every worker has the right to get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – the simple fact is underpaying workers is theft and it’s time it’s treated like that in our laws.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins

“The Wage Inspectorate will help protect all workers, particularly our most vulnerable, and ensure compliance and enforcement with employment conditions across Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula

“Victorian workers deserve to be paid in full and on time. Under our laws, it will be easier for workers to recover stolen wages and employers caught stealing from their workers will face up to ten years behind bars.”   
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print