Greens to push Labor in Senate for higher minimum wage: Bandt.

Greens Co-Deputy Leader and industrial relations spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed Labor’s move towards the Greens’ position on the minimum wage, but said his party would amend Labor’s laws in the Senate to ensure a ‘hard floor’ under the minimum wage of 60% of the adult median wage.

“It’s good that Labor is moving towards the Greens’ position on the minimum wage, but there are some problems with the ALP’s approach,” said Mr Bandt.

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.

I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak on the report on the inquiry into the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia. This inquiry was much needed because the safety of our workers is of utmost importance. We really must have zero tolerance for work related deaths. I started my working life as a civil and structural engineer, so I do know firsthand the dangers that lurk on construction sites, which are among the deadliest sites for workers.

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.

 

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.