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https://theconversation.com/every-worker-is-entitled-to-be-safe-at-work-but-casual-workers-can-fall-through-the-cracks-208206>
"On Monday, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke flagged the government’s
plan to legislate to enable casuals who work regular shifts to convert to
permanent work.
The move, which has been criticised by business groups who said it would add to
costs and red tape, is the latest step by the federal government, as promised
during Labor’s election campaign, to empower the so-called insecure workforce.
While laws to protect workers from mistreatment already exist in Australia,
last month the government signed a United Nations convention that recognises a
broad definition of work and an expansive definition of violence and
harassment.
The convention is significant because it effectively covers the growing number
of casual and gig workers who may not be covered by existing laws.
According to the convention, everyone has the right to work free of violence
and harassment. But the increasing casualisation of work over the past two
decades have exposed some workers to greater risk of harm.
These changes include a shift away from full-time permanent roles to increasing
numbers of contractual and self-employed and those with ambiguous contractual
status including gig and platform workers.
In Australia there are about 2.7 million casual workers and 1.1 million
contractual workers.
It is harder for these workers, who are more vulnerable to the risk of violence
and harassment, to report these incidents than it is for permanent workers.
A review of Australian law and practices to assess gaps in protections for
these new forms of work needs urgent attention."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
