BY BEN CLIFFORD
The Albanese Labor Government is taking action to address unfair laws which have resulted in reduced long-service leave entitlements for casual employees in the black coal mining industry.
The proposed legislation aims to provide equal treatment to
casual workers compared to their permanent counterparts.
Under current laws, casual employees accrue long-service leave through a calculation which unfairly counts their working hours, resulting in a disadvantage for casuals who often work compressed fortnightly rosters.
Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, has expressed support for the proposed changes.
"This Bill will iron out the unfair laws currently disadvantaging casual workers in the coal mining sector," he said.
Mr Repacholi also emphasized the new laws will make a significant difference in the Hunter region.
"This will have a huge impact in the Hunter, as we have plenty of casuals that work in the mining industries," he said.
"[Casual workers] should be making sure that when they take their long service leave, they get paid the same as what they would if they were a full-time employee. They shouldn’t be criticised or disadvantaged just because they are a casual."
Once instilled, the legislation is expected to benefit around 6,000 workers in the industry.
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| Mount Thorley-Warkworth Mine in the Hunter Valley |
