It utilises the government's purchasing power to reward good businesses
Businesses that want to transact with the Victorian government will be required to comply with its Victorian Fair Jobs Code starting December 1.
The new code wants to ensure that businesses entering contracts with the government are promoting job security and workplace equity and diversity for their workers.
"The Fair Jobs Code will encourage businesses to provide job security and establish safe workplaces for Victorian workers – creating better jobs and boosting economic activity across the state," said Industry Support and Recovery Minister Ben Carroll in a statement.
Suppliers bidding for goods, services, and construction projects worth $3 million or more will need to be compliant with the Code. This will also cover subcontractors with contracts valued at $10 million or more, as well as businesses applying for expansion grants of $500,000 or more from the government.
According to the announcement, businesses can now apply for a Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate before the Code comes into effect this December.
Read more: Victoria grants Australian-first sick pay for casual workers
The Code is the government's attempt in utilising its purchasing power to "put workers first," according to Carroll, to ensure that only businesses that treat their workers fairly are rewarded with major government contracts or business grants.
"As we remove level crossings, build roads, schools and hospitals, deliver new trains, trams and buses, we are using our purchasing power to put workers first – where they should be," said the minister.
The Code, an election promise from the Labour Government, complements the other initiatives for workers such as the Local Jobs First and the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee.
The opening of the application for the Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate comes after Western Australia government introduced a gender equality clause to select public sector procurement processes.
It also utilises the WA government's purchasing power to promote gender equality in workplaces.
