A study undertaken by the Griffith Business School has found that the Howard government’s WorkChoices laws have led to lower wages, the stripping of overtime penalty rates and the removal of award protections for working Australians.

“The findings of the study simply confirm that the Howard government’s WorkChoices laws undermine wages and conditions for working Australians across all industries” Ms Vamvakinou said.

The study released yesterday (13/2), found that full-time employment fell by 1.1% in the six months following the introduction of the governments WorkChoices legislation, with women and low paid workers proving the worst affected.

“The study’s findings show that real ordinary-time earnings for women working in the private sector fell by 2% in the 10 months to December last year, whilst approximately 20,000 workers a month are losing their award coverage after signing Workplace Agreements. This includes such awards as overtime, penalty rates and rest breaks.”

According to the study, 82% of all Australian Workplace Agreements have reduced or abolished overtime play, 63% have abolished penalty rates, and 73% have reduced or abolished public holiday payments.

In addition, 64% of all Australian Workplace Agreements have abolished annual leave loadings, 69% have abolished or reduced rest breaks, and 52% have abolished shift work loading.

“These figures show the extent to which the Howard government has been misleading the Australian people about the so called benefits of its WorkChoices Legislation” Ms Vamvakinou said.

“Most Australians understand that the Howard government’s IR laws squarely work against their interests. These laws make it possible to scrap basic awards and protections for workers, and they target wages and workers rights.”

“They scrap unfair dismissal laws, undermine job security and create a greater degree of uncertainty for Australian workers.”

“They also impact on the quality of Australian family life, by creating uncertainty and putting additional pressure on Australian workers, especially working mothers. Parents can be called in to work overtime at any minute, making it harder and harder to plan quality family time with their children and loved ones.”

“This study shows that we have a government that has gone too far, that has swung the pendulum too far in the one direction. It is time restore a sense of balance and fairness in Australian workplaces.”

Further Information: Alex Kouttab 0417 541 465