An internal investigations unit will replace 7-Eleven's wage repayment panel, while biometric thumb-printing, CCTV and facial recognition will complement a centralised payroll system, as part of a new compliance deed between the retailer and the FWO.
As debate resumed on the ABCC legislation in the Senate this morning, the Greens introduced into the House a bill to protect loadings and penalty rates for weekend and night work, while Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten presented legislation to further restrict the use of 457 visas.
The Turnbull Government has tightened the rules for temporary skilled workers, cutting the time that Subclass 457 visa holders can remain in Australia after their employment ceases from 90 days to 60.
The Senate economics committee is due to report today on its review of the "backpacker tax" bills, under which employers will be placed on a public register that the FWO can access to ensure they are complying with IR laws.
The FWO has used accessorial liability provisions to secure substantial penalties across the chain of command of a frozen yoghurt franchise responsible for underpaying four overseas workers.
An FWO inquiry report released today has found that about a third of subclass 417 working holiday visa holders received no payment for some or all of the work they performed.
The Turnbull Government will introduce legislation early next year to give the Fair Work Ombudsman new examination powers and expressly prohibit employers from providing false and misleading information.
Former ACCC chair Allan Fels will head a migrant workers taskforce that will advise the Coalition on policies to improve employment protections for overseas workers and monitor 7-Eleven's rectification of underpayments, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash announced this morning.
The Turnbull Government has bowed to pressure to change its backpacker tax and will now even allocate $10 million to promote Australian working holidays by young tourists.
