Insecure Work: Independent Inquiry

The last two decades in Australia has seen a dramatic decline in permanent work, and corresponding growth of insecure forms of employment, such as casual, contract work and labour hire. The full extent and impact of this shift on workers, their families and the Australian community has never been formally investigated.

The Australian union movement has commissioned this independent inquiry to examine the extent of the insecure work and its impact on workers, their families and the community, and to provide recommendations on measures that can be taken to address any problems that are identified.

A panel of experts and community members chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe will conduct the inquiry and report to the ACTU Congress 2012 on its findings.

Online submissions to the Inquiry have now closed.

However, submissions can still be presented at the Inquiry’s hearings which are being held across NSW later in February and March (see dates and venues below).

Federation is supporting and participating in the Inquiry and is currently identifying key people from each hearing area and asking them to be witnesses. A witness has up to 30 minutes in total  to make a presentation and be questioned by the Commissioners. Witnesses have the option of giving evidence in a closed session, public session or public session with media present.

The Federation is seeking TAFE and school based casual and temporary teachers to give witness statements or present a written submission on the day.

Consideration could also be given to the issue of students at work either directly from student workers but also possibly from careers advisers, year advisers, principals, teachers as parents. It would also be timely for teacher witnesses to raise the spectre of devolution as a real threat to permanency.

At least one Unions NSW officer will be present at each hearing. Federation Organisers have been asked to attend, especially at times Federation members are giving evidence. If it is not possible for the local Organiser to be at the hearing then the Organiser will liaise with the Unions NSW officer scheduled to attend the meeting so that members giving evidence are supported on the day.

Members wishing to participate in the Inquiry should contact their Organiser for more information.

For more information Secure Jobs Better Future campaign, and stories from workers, visit the website.

Hearings details

Central Coast

Monday 20 Feb, 10am-4pm, Erina Trust Community Hall, Cnr Ilya Ave & Karatta Rd, Erina

Newcastle

Tuesday 21 Feb, 10am-3pm, City Hall Mulubinba Room, 290 King St, Newcastle

Port Macquarie

Wednesday 22 Feb, 10am-2pm, Port Macquarie Library, Cnr Gordon & Grant Sts, Port Macquarie

Sydney

Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 Feb, 10am-4pm, Jean Garling Anteroom, State Library, Macquarie St, Sydney

Penrith

Monday 5 March, 10am-4pm, Penrith Panthers Hunter Room, 123 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith

Bathurst

Tuesday 6 March, 10am - 4pm, Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Conference Room, 105 William St, Bathurst

Wollongong

Friday 9 March, 10am-4pm, Wollongong Town Hall Ocean Room, Cnr Crown & Kembla Sts, Wollongong

Tamworth

Tuesday 13 March, 10am-2pm, Tamworth City Library, 466 Peel St, Tamworth

Lismore

Thursday 15 March, 10am-3pm, Auditorium Norsearch Southern Cross University, Military Rd, Lismore