Casual workers have less workplace rights and suffer financially

Tuesday, 09 October 2012

sm ataeaNew research released in September 2012 reveals that people in insecure work, experience higher levels of financial stress, struggle to save, and are more likely to rent than be able to buy a house. The findings, contained in a national survey conducted for ME Bank’s annual Household Financial Comfort Report, confirm the toll that casual work is having on people’s lives, said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver.

 Mr Oliver said the financial comfort rating of 5.07 (out of 10) for casual workers was below that of both full-time (5.65) and part-time (5.37) permanent workers, demonstrating that job insecurity was a factor in causing financial stress. About one in five Australian workers are employed casually, and are not only missing out on basic workplace rights but are suffering financially, Mr Oliver said.

Alliance Director for Entertainment Crew & Sport Mal Tulloch suspects there is greater insecurity in the Entertainment industry and particularly for Crew.

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"Many in our industry feel powerless to raise issues of insecurity, poor pay and long hours in their workplace", said Mr Tulloch.

The Alliance has recently launched campaigns in commercial Live Theatre, Film TV Production and Outdoor Event areas. The Campaigns will seek to empower our members to negotiate Collective Agreements that underpins their working conditions and pay. Workers in this industry can continue to do nothing and conditions and pay will continue to deteriorate. Or they can get organised, build unity and demand their rights to bargain.

So if you want to get out of the rut you find yourself and stop being exploited.  

Join the Alliance’s campaign in your workplace today.