Protecting worker entitlements | Ministers’ Media Centre
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a better, fairer workplace relations system – with the passage of the Protecting Worker Entitlements Bill through Parliament today.
The Bill will act to enshrine worker entitlements, promote gender equality, and improve fairness in our workplace relations system.
The reforms come after close and constructive consultation with business and union stakeholders.
The Protecting Worker Entitlements Bill:
- Gives workers a right to superannuation in the National Employment Standards to protect them against superannuation theft
- Provides stronger access to flexible unpaid parental leave so families can share work and caring responsibilities
- Fixes unfair laws to provide equitable long-service leave entitlements to casual employees in the black coal mining industry
- Clarifies the application of Fair Work Act protections to temporary visa workers, acting on a recommendation of the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce
- Clarifies the interaction between enterprise agreements and workplace determinations.
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to implement its election commitments and outcomes from the Jobs and Skills Summit.
These reforms contribute to the fairer workplace relations system that the Government is delivering for Australian workers.
The Government will introduce further legislation in the second half of the year to deliver on our promises to close loopholes around labour hire, casualisation, wage theft and the gig economy.
Quotes attributable to Minister Burke:
“This will give workers security and flexibility where they need it most.
“This Government is committed to the fairer and more equitable workplace relations system Australians need, want, and deserve.
“Last year we passed the Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation to lift wages, improve job security and close the gender pay gap.
“This year, it’s about closing the loopholes that some businesses use to undercut those arrangements. This Bill is the first step.”