In what might present another opportunity for the Albanese Government to deliver on its promise to rebalance the FWC, the Productivity Commission says it should empower the tribunal to conciliate and arbitrate gig workers' termination and payment disputes.
The Productivity Commission says a review of the Albanese Government's new multi-employer bargaining measures should consider amending the Competition and Consumer Act so the ACCC can play a role.
The Albanese Government is not attracted to "scorched earth" IR policies to address Australia's productivity challenges, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said today, ahead of tomorrow's tabling of the final report of the Productivity Commission's productivity inquiry.
Employers say the remuneration bill for workers with a disability covered by the Supported Employment Services Award might increase by up to 50% following variations that the FWC says will give them a "truly comprehensive range of fair minimum wages" for the first time.
The Productivity Commission has warned against "shoehorning" gig economy platform work into other employment categories, arguing it could jeopardise their benefits for consumers and workers.
In a shift in emphasis after calling for limits on pay rises to avoid a wage-price spiral, RBA Governor Philip Lowe today called for businesses to avoid using skyrocketing inflation "as cover" for increasing their profit margins.
The Productivity Commission says the workplace tribunal should have a "fast-track process" for early involvement in industrial disputes on the docks, while waterfront employers should have more options for taking their own protected action beyond lockouts.
The FWC has tightened its benchmarks for finalising cases, with 50% to be completed within eight weeks (down from 13 weeks) and 90% within 16 weeks (down from 26 weeks).
In a decision that shines a light on road service provider NRMA's business model, the FWC has found a contractor mechanic's failure to meet KPIs – when he spent too much time with customers and failed to sell enough batteries – did not provide a fair basis for sacking him.
The NSW Opposition has promised today that if it takes power at the March election, it will scrap the decade-old public sector wages cap and replace it with a productivity-based bargaining system.
