EMA backs employment standards 'white paper'

The Employers and Manufacturers Association strongly supports the thinking behind the discussion document put forward today seeking better ways to enforce employment standards. (Playing by the rules: Strengthening enforcement of employment standards)

"We back the enforcing of employee entitlements under our employment laws," said David Lowe, EMA's Manager of Advocacy and Government Relations.

"Employees who don't get their entitlements are effectively being exploited, and we condemn such practices.

"Unfortunately some of those most vulnerable to exploitation are migrants.

"It's also true part that when employees are not paid their entitlements, law abiding employers are disadvantaged.

"However some of our employment standards are excessively detailed and old fashioned.

"In some areas the law is so old fashioned that employers and employees have worked out their own arrangements so the law should be updated first.

"The prime example of this is the Holidays Act which, along with other aspects, needs updating to make it suitable for the modern workplace."

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