About 500,000 casuals are set to benefit from a new legislation
Casual workers will be entitled to switch to full-time or part-time employment under a new legislation by the Coalition Government.
About half a million casual workers in the hospitality, retail, and mining sectors are expected to benefit from the change, which is set to be legislated before the federal election.
The move will grant casual employees covered by the Fair Work Act 2009 the opportunity to request changes to their status similar to the rights given to award-reliant casual workers.
The Fair Work Commission recently ruled in favour of award-reliant casuals, allowing some 1.5 million qualified workers to shift to full-time or part-time status.
The outcome of the FWC ruling, however, only covered workers whose terms and conditions were established by a relevant modern award, according to Jobs Minister Kelly O’Dwyer.
“If award-reliant employees have the right to make a request and it is subject to reasonable safeguards for employers, it is only fair that the same right is extended to other casuals who currently do not have the same right,” said O’Dwyer.
The decision of the federal coalition gives Australians the opportunity “to work in the way that best suits them and their families,” she said.
“The Government’s approach will ensure a consistent, fair, and balanced safety net for all employees covered by the national workplace system.”
