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WorkChoices has made an insidious comeback in this budget WorkChoices has made an insidious comeback in this budget
(3 months later)
It ranks as one of the most successful pieces of political advertising in recent history. During the campaign against WorkChoices, our televisions were saturated with the image of a harried Tracy on the phone to an uncompromising boss, the kids looking on in concern. Tracy helped unseat a prime minister and change a government because she was a cipher for our fears and stresses, a representation of the massive power imbalance at play when an individual is forced to negotiate directly with an unsympathetic employer.It ranks as one of the most successful pieces of political advertising in recent history. During the campaign against WorkChoices, our televisions were saturated with the image of a harried Tracy on the phone to an uncompromising boss, the kids looking on in concern. Tracy helped unseat a prime minister and change a government because she was a cipher for our fears and stresses, a representation of the massive power imbalance at play when an individual is forced to negotiate directly with an unsympathetic employer.
Tracy didn't need to explain the detail of the WorkChoices legislation, but simply its effect. She spoke to the fundamental truth that most of us are finding it hard to balance work and life and that if we're left on our own, things will just get harder.Tracy didn't need to explain the detail of the WorkChoices legislation, but simply its effect. She spoke to the fundamental truth that most of us are finding it hard to balance work and life and that if we're left on our own, things will just get harder.
The Liberal party seems to have learned their lesson. Rather than mount a frontal assault by changing industrial relations laws, this time they're trying to tip the power balance through welfare measures in the budget, in particular the restriction of access to the dole.The Liberal party seems to have learned their lesson. Rather than mount a frontal assault by changing industrial relations laws, this time they're trying to tip the power balance through welfare measures in the budget, in particular the restriction of access to the dole.
The cruelty of forcing people under 30 to spend six months of every year with no income at all is reason alone to block this budget measure. Kicking people off the dole for half of every year is a recipe for homelessness and desperation. People will be forced to do things previously thought unthinkable just to survive.The cruelty of forcing people under 30 to spend six months of every year with no income at all is reason alone to block this budget measure. Kicking people off the dole for half of every year is a recipe for homelessness and desperation. People will be forced to do things previously thought unthinkable just to survive.
What hasn't been remarked upon, though, is how it will change workplace culture for Gen Y and everyone who comes after them. Put yourself in the shoes of someone under 30 who is lucky enough to find a job. (ABS figures from April put youth unemployment in Ballarat at 26%, and 14% in Melbourne.) Imagine after a few months you're unlucky enough to find your employer is less than scrupulous. You're on the receiving end ofunwelcome sexual advances, or a request that you bend the rules and work fewer hours than you'd agreed, or do unpaid overtime. What hasn't been remarked upon, though, is how it will change workplace culture for Gen Y and everyone who comes after them. Put yourself in the shoes of someone under 30 who is lucky enough to find a job. (ABS figures from April put youth unemployment in Ballarat at 26%, and 14% in Melbourne.) Imagine after a few months you're unlucky enough to find your employer is less than scrupulous. You're on the receiving end ofunwelcome sexual advances, or a request that you bend the rules and work fewer hours than you'd agreed, or do unpaid overtime.
You'll have an unsavoury balancing act to perform. Because if you do decide to leave, or if you complain and then find yourself out of a job, you'll spend months on Newstart without a single dollar in benefits. How much would you put up with if you knew a sideways step would take you off a steep cliff with no safety net?You'll have an unsavoury balancing act to perform. Because if you do decide to leave, or if you complain and then find yourself out of a job, you'll spend months on Newstart without a single dollar in benefits. How much would you put up with if you knew a sideways step would take you off a steep cliff with no safety net?
Under other budget changes, young people who've studied will also be facing massively higher debts, with interest now accruing more quickly – adding to the pressure to accept lower wages and conditions or fall into poverty.Under other budget changes, young people who've studied will also be facing massively higher debts, with interest now accruing more quickly – adding to the pressure to accept lower wages and conditions or fall into poverty.
Indeed, it's when the dots are joined that an even more sinister picture emerges. The Abbott government also currently has legislation before Parliament to expand the role of so-called "individual flexibility agreements". These statutory creatures, given life by the former Labor government, allow an employer and employee to depart from legally defined minimum conditions, provided that the employee is not overall worse off. These agreements don't have to be pre-approved by the industrial umpire; compliance is only ever determined if an employee has the resources to sue their employer.Indeed, it's when the dots are joined that an even more sinister picture emerges. The Abbott government also currently has legislation before Parliament to expand the role of so-called "individual flexibility agreements". These statutory creatures, given life by the former Labor government, allow an employer and employee to depart from legally defined minimum conditions, provided that the employee is not overall worse off. These agreements don't have to be pre-approved by the industrial umpire; compliance is only ever determined if an employee has the resources to sue their employer.
The Abbott government wants to change the test so that "non-monetary" benefits can be taken into account when an employer determines if their employee is better off overall. Does a burger and chips from the owner of the corner milk bar allow them to deduct $10 from your already low wages? If the company owner insists on part-paying you in kind with their product, do you dare refuse? Of course, you can't pay your landlord or electricity company with anything other than money, but that's no concern of Tony Abbott's.The Abbott government wants to change the test so that "non-monetary" benefits can be taken into account when an employer determines if their employee is better off overall. Does a burger and chips from the owner of the corner milk bar allow them to deduct $10 from your already low wages? If the company owner insists on part-paying you in kind with their product, do you dare refuse? Of course, you can't pay your landlord or electricity company with anything other than money, but that's no concern of Tony Abbott's.
In turn, of course, this will help drive down wages and conditions for everyone. Why employ an older worker when a younger one will do it (under duress) for less?In turn, of course, this will help drive down wages and conditions for everyone. Why employ an older worker when a younger one will do it (under duress) for less?
While the explicit assault on the minimum wage recommended by the prime minister's commission of audit remains on hold, the government has begun a more underhanded campaign. For a generation already facing the triple threats of global warming, unaffordable housing and insecure work, life is about to get a lot more precarious. People will be forced to accept a lot less when the alternative is absolutely nothing.While the explicit assault on the minimum wage recommended by the prime minister's commission of audit remains on hold, the government has begun a more underhanded campaign. For a generation already facing the triple threats of global warming, unaffordable housing and insecure work, life is about to get a lot more precarious. People will be forced to accept a lot less when the alternative is absolutely nothing.
WorkChoices has made an insidious comeback in this budget. The sky might not fall in, but the floor will start rotting quickly. The next Tracy will probably be younger, maybe without kids, but her distress will be the same. It will be the voice of a someone in their 20's who has tried to do the right thing – studied, looked for work, tried to find an affordable house to rent or buy – only to hit dead ends. Here's hoping she can change a government again.WorkChoices has made an insidious comeback in this budget. The sky might not fall in, but the floor will start rotting quickly. The next Tracy will probably be younger, maybe without kids, but her distress will be the same. It will be the voice of a someone in their 20's who has tried to do the right thing – studied, looked for work, tried to find an affordable house to rent or buy – only to hit dead ends. Here's hoping she can change a government again.