September 7, 2017
The State Government says unscrupulous labour hire operators who seek to rip off vulnerable workers will soon have no place to hide in Queensland.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said under a new licensing scheme – to begin in 2018 – all labour hire providers operating in Queensland would need to:
- Pass a fit-and-proper person test;
- Comply with workplace laws, including workers’ compensation, wages and superannuation;
- Pay a licence fee; and
- Report regularly on their operations.
“Shonks, shysters and cheats have brought Queensland’s labour hire industry into disrepute,” Ms Grace said.
“For far too long, dodgy operators have been blatantly exploiting vulnerable workers and ripping off those without the power to fight back.
“Just last week an investigation was launched into a labour hire operator in the Lockyer Valley for alleged underpayment of wages, the provision of unsafe accommodation and unsafe drinking water and unregistered transport.
“To make matters worse, it’s even alleged some of the workers were charged job finding fees – it doesn’t get much lower than that.
“Legitimate businesses are sick and tired of being undercut by these dodgy operators and their unlawful practices. They want them stomped out, full stop.
“The only way to put an end to this kind of appalling exploitation is through the introduction of a proper labour hire regulation scheme.
“You need a licence to operate a real estate agency or to be a motor car dealer, so why shouldn’t you need a licence to run a labour hire firm?”
Ms Grace said the government had consulted with key industry stakeholders and the majority supported the introduction of a licensing scheme.
“Our reforms aim to protect workers and restore a level playing field so that ethical operators can compete fairly, without imposing unnecessary red tape,” she said.
“The new laws will be backed by stiff penalties and some offenders will be liable for criminal prosecution.”
Salvation Army spokesperson Heather Moore said the Salvos commended the State Government for passing the legislation to protect fair employers from unethical competition and to protect workers – both Australians and migrants – from all forms of labour exploitation.
“We see this is a critical step to disrupting the business model built on exploiting vulnerable people and holding those who use it to account,” she said.
