Postcard campaign against slave wages
By Kerryn Williams
CANBERRA — On July 29, Young Christian Workers launched their postcard campaign against proposed changes to apprentice and trainee wages under the Howard government's Workplace Relations Bill. Postcards addressed to John Howard will be signed by young people across the country and presented on August 16.
The postcard condemns the Modern Australian Apprenticeship and Trainee System (MAATS), which allows employers not to pay apprentices and trainees for time spent in training on or off the job. Describing the MAATS scheme as "a free gift from the worker to the boss", the postcard points out that "training does add value to business and business should pay for it".
On July 28, the minister for schools, vocational education and training, David Kemp, announced plans to "top up" the wages of apprentices and trainees. YCW's Bridget Rauch argues, however, that with or without the plan, apprentices and trainees would still be living in poverty.
She points to a recent YCW survey which exposed the situation of one apprentice receiving $3.92 an hour and having to pay for his own tools, transport and TAFE fees. These costs are refunded only at the end of the year if he passes all subjects. Another apprentice was paid $160 a week and, after spending $60 on rent, $30 on petrol, $20 on bills and $50 on groceries, was left with nothing for uniforms, tools and school fees, let alone recreation.