Govt moves on national pay deals; contractors out for now

Govt moves on national pay deals; contractors out for now
Workplace relations minister Michael Wood says the reforms give low-paid workers a 'fair go'.
Pattrick Smellie
The government has confirmed it will implement the biggest labour relations reform since the introduction of the Employment Contracts Act 30 years ago, reintroducing nationally negotiated pay agreements for whole industries.However, a major loophole is being left unplugged, with workplace relations minister Michael Wood revealing that it will not be possible to include individual contractors in the new arrangements.That could mean large numbers of low-paid workers the Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) legislation is aimed at could be left out, at least...

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