ACTU calls for passing of Closing Loopholes Bill to protect workers in insecure jobs
The absence of paid leave is forcing one in two workers in insecure jobs to continue working despite feeling ill or being injured, prompting stronger calls to pass the remaining parts of the Closing Loopholes Bill.
A survey by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) among over 3,000 respondents found that 52% of those in insecure jobs aren't taking the time off despite being injured because they don't have available paid leave.
Other reasons cited include:
- They couldn't afford to stop working (69%)
- They don't want to let people down (52%)
- They were worried that it would negatively affect them (42%)
- They don't want to be seen as a bad worker (40%)
- They were able to manage their injury (38%)
The findings indicate that workers are forced to decide between taking time off with no pay or going to work and risk worsening their conditions, according to ACTU assistant secretary Liam O'Brien.
"No one should have to go to work when injured or ill simply because their job lacks the most basic of protections," O'Brien said in a statement.
More injuries reported for insecure workers
The findings come as more workers under insecure work report physical and mental injuries in 2023.
According to the survey, 11% of these employees reported physical injury in 2023, up from the seven per cent in 2022. There were also 20% of workers in insecure jobs who reported mental health injuries, higher than the 16% in 2022.
"There has been a steady increase, across the years on the WSH survey, in physical and mental injuries reported by those in insecure work. It is statistically significant," the ACTU survey read.
The findings prompted a renewed call from ACTU to pass the remaining parts of the Closing Loopholes Bill.
"Parliament has the power to help these vulnerable workers by passing the remaining parts of the Closing Loopholes Bill, which guarantees these workers basic rights that other workers are entitled to," O'Brien said.
ACTU previously called on the government to pass the remaining parts of the bill as more casual workers want to transition into permanent employment.
The government in December 2023 passed the first part of the legislation, which addresses wage theft, the labour hire system, among others. Parliament is set to debate the remaining parts of the bill next month, according to ACTU.
