Archived News for Human Resource Professionals - May, 2012
New laws for the building and construction industry and the new Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate will commence on 1 June 2012.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten said with the establishment of the new independent inspectorate, to be known as Fair Work Building and Construction, the Government had delivered its election commitment to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Report shows growth in enterprise agreements
The Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten has released the Trends in Enterprise Bargaining Report for the December 2011 quarter which shows that since the Fair Work Act began, more than 16 200 enterprise agreements have been made, covering 2.2 million employees including 260 000 employees covered by Fair Work Act enterprise agreements approved in the last quarter.
AHRC slams racist EMA debate
The Australian Human Rights Commissioner Helen Szoke has expressed her disappointment over the tone of the debate surrounding the Federal Government’s new Enterprise Migration Agreement, which will allow Roy Hill to sponsor up to 1,715 workers for the three-year construction phase through the 457 visa program.
FWA announces minimum wage increase
Fair Work Australia has announced a 2.9 per cent increase to the country’s minimum wage, with the national wage rising to $606.40 per week, or $15.96 an our. The increase equates to an additional $17.10 for the country’s lowest paid.
SA budget cuts public sector
The South Australian Government has announced it will cut 1000 full time equivalent positions from its public sector over the next three years, while setting greater efficiency targets.
Young men's mental health illnesses cut $3 billion from the economy
A report released by the mental health advocacy group Inspire Foundation has found that mental illnesses in young men is costing the Australian economy $3 billon each year.
ClubsNSW targets school bullies
ClubsNSW has launched a new campaign that will see high school bullies blacklisted by employers in the State’s Murray region.
FWA accuses Jetstar of underpaying Thai staff
Fair Work Australia (FWA) has found that cabin crew recruited in Thailand are underpaid by as much as half of their minimum entitlements.
Government announces bullying blitz
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten have announced the Federal Government will conduct a review into bullying in the workplace.
Hastie Group enters liquidation
Engineering services company Hastie Group has announced the appointment of Voluntary Administrators after it was revealed last week that the company had found accounting irregularities to the value of an estimated $20 million. The impending collapse of the company casts doubt over the 2,000 people employed in Victoria and New South Wales.
NWRCC considers boost to FWA
Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten has convened the 114th meeting of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council (NWRCC).
Workers waste one third of their time
Australian workers waste one third of their time at work, costing their employees an estimated loss of about $109 billion according to Ernst & Young’s Productivity Pulse survey.
Study of workplace depression released
A new investigation into the treatment of depression is underway at the Griffith Health Institute, with a focus on depression in the workplace.
Government opens Pilbara to skilled migrants
The Federal Government has approved the first Enterprise Migration Agreement (EMA), granting permission to the new iron ore mining Roy Hill to seek skilled overseas labour.
SA unions support protection for older workers in WorkCover bill
South Australian unions are throwing their support behind a Greens' plan to make sure older workers over 65 are covered by workers' compensation.
Hydro blames carbon tax for impending smelter closure
Norsk Hydro has announced it is considering ceasing its operations at its Kurri Kurri aluminium plant following the curtailing of three pot lines in January this year, citing the effects of the Federal Government's carbon tax.
Randstad Awards recognise top employers
Gold mining company Newcrest Mining has been nominated as Australia's most attractive employer for 2012 at the second annual awards of international recruitment firm Randstad.
Security industry records huge lift in compliance levels
The Fair Work Ombudsman has welcomed a ‘significant increase’ in compliance rates with workplace law within the security industry following a second round of audits.
ACTU pushes for minimum wage increase
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has urged Fair Work Australia to rule in favour of a proposed increase to the minimum wage.
NSW Business Chamber warns against premium increase
The New South Wales Business Chamber has warned that over 12,600 jobs could disappear from the state economy if workers’ compensation premiums are allowed to increase by the projected 28 per cent.
Qantas announces job cuts
Qantas has announced it has completed a review of its heavy aircraft maintenance and engineering operations in Australia, concluding it will consolidate all heavy maintenance work into Brisbane and Avalon, with all such work finishing at Tullamarine by August.