Senate agrees to Greens’ push for Portable Workplace Entitlements inquiry
Greens Employment & Workplace Relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today commended the Senate establishing an inquiry into a National Portable Entitlements Scheme for workplace entitlements, like Long Service Leave, that the Greens have long pushed for.
“The nature of work is changing and people are churning through contract and casual jobs more than ever before, but our workplace laws haven’t caught up,” Mr Bandt said.
“As jobs become more precarious, we need to ensure people still have the right to take a break after years in the workforce.”
“The Greens are proud to have secured this inquiry and we hope it leads to long lasting reform.”
“With the average tenure in a job being just over 3 years, long service leave has become a fantasy for many Australian workers,” said Victorian Greens Senator Janet Rice, who is leading the inquiry in the Senate.
“Portable long service leave is something the ACTU and think tanks have long called for.”
“As a country we must look at new ways to ensure we’re as fresh, fit and productive as possible.”
Media contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054
Motion text
Senator Rice, Chair of the Education and Employment References Committee (Senator Lines) and Senator Madigan:
To move—That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day in February 2016:
The feasibility of, and options for, creating a national long service standard, and the portability of long service and other entitlements, with particular reference to:
(a) the number of Australians in insecure work;
(b) the extent and nature of labour market mobility;
(c) the objectives of portable long service leave schemes, and the key components that might apply;
(d) which sectors, industries or occupations may, or may not, benefit from such schemes;
(e) the operation of a portable long service scheme, including:
1. how and by whom such schemes might be run,
2. how such schemes could be organised, be it occupational, industrial or other,
3. the appropriate role for the Commonwealth Government in facilitating portable long service leave schemes,
4. the impact of varying state and territory long service leave arrangements on a potential national long service scheme administered by the Commonwealth, and
5. the capacity to operate such schemes within or across jurisdictions, including recognition of service; and
(f) any other related matters.