Today’s decision by the full bench of Fair Work Australia to rule out any changes to the Retail Award 3 hour minimum has come as another blow to students wanting to work before and after school.
I have spoken with Leticia Harrison, who is currently in the middle of exams, and she said that “this is another kick in the guts. What is needed now is for Prime Minister Gillard to keep her word and act to fix this problem.”
Leticia is one of many Victorian teenagers who lost their work this year due to changes made by Prime Minister Gillard when she was Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion. At the time Prime Minister Gillard said she would act to fix the problem.
Through a spokesperson on Feb 8, Prime Minister Gillard said that “attempts were being made to come to an arrangement that suited both the employer and the teenagers”.
Yet no attempt has been made by Ms Gillard to fix the problem. In fact, when the students took their case to Fair Work Australia, Ms Gillard remained silent as Union funded barristers sought to intimidate the students.
Today’s appeal decision, and the decision in July, both rejecting applications to vary the minimum hours for students sends the wrong message to young Australians.
Following the Fair Work decision in July, student Matthew Spencer asked “What message does it send to other kids?”
In handing down that decision, Fair Work Australia acknowledged that Julia Gillard’s new laws are having a detrimental impact on country students:
“The impact on individuals in that situation is significant and has an impact on employment opportunities for youth in regional areas in particular.” Vice President Watson
Today’s ruling has come as a result of retailers appealing to the full bench of Fair Work Australia, who have now again decided to do nothing, despite their admission in July of a significant impact on country students.
I call on Prime Minister Gillard to honour her word and find an arrangement that suits both employer and employee so country students can work before and after school again.
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