A new Griffith University study bolsters Ms McManus’ argument,finding many workers commonly defined as casuals report being denied benefits including extra pay and time off,which are supposed to make up for insecure work.
The report,funded by the mining union,draws on unreleased Australian Bureau of Statistics data to conclude a majority of “casuals” are actually relatively long-term workers,with at least one year of service and an expectation they will stay for at least another year.
The government on Monday unveiledproposed laws to force employers to offer permanent work to casual staff working regular hours after a year and a new definition of casual work,constraining it to people without a “firm advance commitment” to more work.
It argues the laws will create jobs,address court rulings that could force businesses to cover billions in leave entitlements for casuals and make the rules clearer.
Workers will be able to go to the Fair Work Commissionfor mediation if their employer refuses to offer conversion but it will have no power to force bosses to provide permanent work.
“If ... it’s not fixed,then we believe that all the opposition parties should vote against it,” Ms McManus said.
The government plans to move its industrial laws in one bloc after they are examined by a committee over summer and if Labor and the Greens oppose it they need the votes of three of five crossbenchers,who all said they would consider the laws when they are released in full.