The ACTU is conducting an inquiry into insecure work, defined as work which provides workers with little social and economic security, and little control over their working lives.

 

Indicators of insecure work are:

(i) unpredictable, fluctuating pay;

(ii) inferior rights and entitlements, including limited or no access to paid leave;

(iii) irregular and unpredictable working hours, or working hours that, although regular, are too long or too few and/or non-social or fragmented;

(iv) lack of security and/or uncertainty over the length of the job; and

(v) lack of voice at work on wages, conditions and work organisation.

 

The inquiry panel, headed by former Labor Deputy Prime Minister, Brian Howe, has been asked to consider:            

    • The extent of insecure work in Australia;
    • The causes of insecure work and its prevalence in modern Australia;
    • The workers that are most at risk of insecure work and why;
    • The level of compliance with applicable labour laws and any barriers to their effective enforcement;
    • The effect of insecure work on:
      • Financial security,
      • Occupational health and safety of workers and workplaces,
      • Wellbeing and health of workers outside the workplace, including impact on family and other relationships,
      • Training and skills development,
      • Career progression and opportunities,
      • Regional communities, Social inclusion,
      • Community organisations;
    • The social and economic cost of insecure work to employees, employers, government, and the Australian community;
    • The rights and entitlements/working conditions that can best assist to provide security for workers;
    • Relevant international human rights and labour standards.

Other members of the panel are: Paul Munro, formerly a Senior Presidential Member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; Jill Biddington, a union official and educator; and Sara Charlesworth, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Work+Life, University of South Australia.

 

The inquiry will produce a report by 18 April 2012 that will be considered at the ACTU Congress 15-17 May 2012.

 

More information is here.