Issue Date: -
Friday, 31 August 2007
Greenfields Agreements allow reduction in employment entitlements
A new type of employment agreement made possible by WorkChoices has resulted in workers missing out on basic employment entitlements according to a report commissioned by Western Australia's Fair Employment Advocate and researched by Monash University.
Fair Employment Advocate Helen Creed said the agreements, known as Employer Greenfields Agreements (EGAs), are drawn up by employers before workers are hired and so no consultation with employees or unions is required.
"The agreements are inherently unfair because prospective workers have no chance to see the contract before it is registered and the Monash report confirms workers under these types of agreements are being exploited.
"The workers on EGAs in WA are working longer, harder and with fewer entitlements. That these agreements can be made without any employee consultation is baffling."
Ms Creed said according to the report, EGAs in Western Australia are mainly used in the mining and construction industry, and even though most people on EGAs in mining and construction are receiving above award pay, which reflects the general situation across those industries, it appears they are also working longer hours or missing out on meal breaks.
"Of the 77 EGAs registered in WA, construction and mining accounted for 72.7% compared to just 29.6% nationally," Ms Creed said.
A further 11.7% of EGAs were registered in the hospitality industry.
Ms Creed said protected award conditions were excluded from 85.7% of EGAs in WA (national rate 79.3%).
"Maximum working hours in excess of 38 hours a week were provided for in 19.5% of WA EGAs where the national figure was only 10%," she said.
"This is just another example of a federal arrangement that threatens the conditions of vulnerable workers in Western Australia."