In its latest clean-up of superannuation in awards, the FWC has observed that after more than a decade it still does not have the required members to constitute an expert panel to keep tabs on default funds terms.
The FWC is inviting quick submissions in its crucial work from home test case ahead of a directions hearing pushed back to September 5, after providing data underpinning WFH research criticised by the Australian Industry Group, while Victoria is consulting on WFH legislation to be introduced next year.
The Senate inquiry into the Albanese Government's Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates legislation is seeking submissions this week, ahead of a hearing next week.
Employers are seeking work-from-home-related changes to the clerks award to make it easier to spread out working hours without requiring penalty rates, remove minimum engagement restrictions and overhaul meal and rest break provisions.
Workers would be earning $350 more a week if wages had kept up with productivity growth since 2000, and and in its productivity pursuit the Albanese Government should focus on pushing wealth down the income scale by strengthening labour laws and institutions, rather than perpetuating the "trickle down" myth, according to new Australia Institute research.
A FWC full bench led by President Adam Hatcher has abruptly ended conciliation of the crucial clerks award WFH case after a "highly regrettable" leak of confidential information to the media, while issuing a broader warning that participants should respect processes conducted behind-closed-doors.
Labor maintains that its legislation to protect penalty and overtime rates, to be introduced to Parliament tomorrow, will block changes to awards that might make a single worker worse off.
An expert FWC panel headed by President Adam Hatcher has decried the Albanese Government's "proposed usurpation" of the Commission's role while rejecting an ASU request to delay consideration of gender-undervaluation changes in a major award.
A Federal Circuit and Family Court judge has urged the Albanese Government to "substantially" increase penalties for failing to engage with compliance notices and to empower the FWO to seek the removal of directors, to prevent recidivism and deter directors and companies from ignoring notices.
With more than a third of young workers paid $15 an hour or less and almost half working unpaid overtime, loaded rates could provide a partial solution, according to new university research on the exploitation of young workers.
