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The mining union has slammed the industrial relations bill currently before parliament aimed at stamping out the “permanent casual” labour hire situation rampant across the mining industry.
Two key elements of the package were the focus of the union’s complaints, general president Tony Maher said.
The elements are; a fair, objective definition of casual work that looks at the reality of working conditions and not just the contract at point of hire; and “same job same pay” for labour hire workers meaning companies can’t pay labour hire workers less than direct employees doing the same job.
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Subscriber only Mine workers will today plead their case before a Senate Inquiry on proposed workplace law changes which the union has labelled a detriment to Mackay and its resources industry. Tightening the definition of casual employment will be a key aspect of a 27 page submission union representatives will present to the committee, which is sitting in Townsville. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland southwest vice-president Shane Brunker said the casualisation of mine jobs was a cancer that s spreading through the industry . He said there were thousands of workers across the Bowen Basin, contracted through labour hire companies as a casual employee but working a full-time roster without benefits such as annual or sick leave.