The Australia Institute is urging the FWC to increase award and minimum wages by 7.5% to 11.1%, to "undo the damage" to real wages inflicted since the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compensate for the forthcoming cost of living increases caused by the Middle East conflict.
The ACTU is seeking a 5% rise in award rates and the federal minimum wage to keep pace with cost-of-living pressures "that have gotten a lot tougher" with the fuel price rises from the Middle East war and interest rate hikes.
The Albanese Government should get rid of awards and make a strengthened NES the sole source of minimum employment conditions for all industries, the HR Nicholls Society has told in the NES review.
A FWC full bench has slightly altered the issues it will consider in its review of award part-time provisions after considering submissions and is seeking further feedback this month on the scope of a research proposal.
The implications of the Federal Court's retail underpayments decision are only starting to be understood, with employment law academic Andrew Stewart warning of the significent consequences of its redefinition of employer record-keeping obligations and findings on proving workers' agreement to vary award conditions.
A FWC full bench is seeking submissions on any additional issues its review of award part-time provisions should consider, and will then consult on proposed research, while the tribunal has also begun a review of redundancy provisions in selected awards.
A model working from home clause in a key award should avoid contributing to remote workers working "long and unsociable hours", address employer provision of equipment and apply to all employees, according to a Centre for Future Work report.
Almost a year since the FWC inserted right to disconnect terms in awards and on the eve of the entitlement extending to small businesses, the FWC is indicating that the lack of any significant case law since its inception suggests it should delay a promised 12-month review and development of guidelines.
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.
Academics say Menulog's abandoned bid for an on-demand delivery services award holds the clues to tensions and challenges likely to confront those attempting to establish the rules of the game for employee-like workers more broadly.
