Workers' health and safety more at risk

On November 6, WA Greens Senator Dee Margetts expressed fear for workers' health and safety after the Democrats and Coalition blocked attempts to have occupational health and safety issues incorporated in the "allowable award matters" section of the federal Workplace Relations Bill.

In a statement released on November 6, Margetts explained: "The allowable award matters not only determine those issues that can be the trigger for industrial disputes, but also by implication the arbitration and award-making powers of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. By refusing to incorporate occupational health and safety issues, the government and the Australian Democrats have weakened workers' bargaining power."

Liberal Senator Richard Alston attempted to claim that the bill's definition of allowable industrial action, which is "based on a reasonable concern by the employee about an imminent risk to his or her health and safety", overcame the need to incorporate occupation health and safety in the list of allowable award matters, Margetts said.

"This comment ignores both the very great risks associated with longer-term issues such as asbestosis or irradiation which could not be pursued under the terms of this amended definition, but also the broader issue of the ability of the AIRC to arbitrate with respect to occupational health and safety issues", she said.

Under the amendment, Margetts said, workers will be forced to comply with employers' orders to undertake alternative duties and will be prevented from taking collective action to protect their health and safety. "It is yet another example of the flawed nature of this deal between the Australian Democrats and the government", she said.

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