Greens challenge Labor to ‘walk the walk’ on living wage

Greens employment and workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that Labor is talking big on inequality but won’t back it up with action. Mr Bandt said the Greens will seek to amend Labor’s industrial relations legislation in the Senate to ensure the minimum wage is at least 60% of median earnings.

“We need to change the law so that if you work full-time, you’re not in poverty.

Pigs will fly before heroic MYEFO wage growth forecasts come true

Greens employment spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today noted MYEFO joins 8 years of heroic wage growth forecasts that haven’t come true, making this mid-year update more fantasy than reality.

“If history is anything to go by, we’ll see pigs at 35,000 feet before these wage growth forecasts come true,” said Mr Bandt.

“We’re now in our 8th year of broken wage growth promises.

“Neoliberalism does not deliver decent wage rises.

Greens reject push for ‘permanent casuals’ and welcome FWC ruling on flexible work.

 

Greens spokesperson for employment and industrial relations today opposed the NSW business lobby’s proposal to create a new category of ‘permanent casual’,  but welcomed a recent ruling by the Fair Work Commission on flexible work as a move towards Greens policy, but noted that it did not go far enough to protect the rights of working people seeking to have more control over their working arrangements.

 

Greens launch industrial relations platform

Greens will pursue minimum wage legislation: Bandt

Greens employment spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the Greens will press ahead with their bill to lift the minimum wage after today’s Fair Work Commission decision meant many full-time workers would still be living in poverty.

Wage rises not tax cuts -- Greens back push for a lift to minimum wage.

The Greens will introduce legislation to set the national minimum wage (NMW) at 60% of the median full-time wage, to be phased in at the earliest possible time in a manner determined by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The UK Government has set a target for its minimum wage to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020, rising according to increments recommended by its Low Pay Commission.

Greens support ACTU workplace rules push, will introduce key legislation to tackle insecurity and work/life balance

Greens employment spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today gave in principle support to Sally McManus’ call to ‘change the rules’ to protect working people from insecure work, stagnant wages and the erosion of fundamental rights.

High Court ruling means right to strike at risk

Greens industrial relations spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the judgement handed down by the High Court in the case between ESSO and the AWU has highlighted the flaws in the Fair Work Act which must be fixed.

“As wages flatline and penalty rates are cut, this decision will corrode people’s rights at work even further,” said Mr Bandt.

Greens call on ALP to back family and domestic violence bill

Greens spokesperson for employment Adam Bandt MP today welcomed Labor’s announcement to match Greens policy to legislate for 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, but said instead of waiting till the next election, Bill Shorten should get behind the Greens’ bill and pass the bill the next time Parliament sits.