Casual workers' entitlements tipped for changes

As the world struggles to cope with COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of casual workers have lost jobs, many have been forced to live without pay as they self-isolate or even be forced to make a choice that could harm their community. 

In a world still reeling from a global pandemic, casual workers have been one of the most vulnerable in this economic downturn. More than 3 million Australians are a part of the casual workflow industry devastated by the pandemic. 

Mitch Evans moved to Melbourne from Gippsland last year to start his Bachelors degree in the city. Halfway through the year Mitch was forced to leave his job.

"I had a really severe shoulder injury last year and I actually dislocated my shoulder again at work, that lead to my missing work for quite a few days," he said.

Mr Evans is a casual employee at an english teaching language institute in Melbourne. With his injury and no support for sick leave for casual work, Mitch was left with no source of income during a global crisis. 

"It ended up being what forced me to go back home again"

"Having that bit of time with paid leave would have helped me sort things out and keep myself healthy," he said.

The Victorian governments big state budget for the year has a small relief for casual workers, but Mitch may not be one of them.

The state government announced a two-year trial program last month, offering sick or carer's leave to insecure workers in Victoria.

In an Australian-first, Victoria’s casual workers are set to be paid sick leave with the state government announcing a 5-million-dollar pilot scheme, but the Federal Government has plans of its own. VIDEO: TAVLEEN SINGH

Under the 'Secure work pilot scheme', Victorian casual workers from industries like cleaning, hospitality and aged care could get up to 5 days of paid sick leave. 

The pilot will be funded by the state, but "modest" industry levies would likely be charged if it became permanent, Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said, Coronavirus had shone a bright light on some of the darkest corners of the nation’s economy and society, insecure work being one of them.

“Insecure work is toxic,"

"Insecure work isn’t just bad for those who work under those conditions, it’s bad for all of us and we pay a price for the fact that so many people - particularly those who work in public-facing jobs - do not have sick leave,” he said.

The program set to commence in late 2021 or early 2022, is being called 'groundbreaking', by the state government and unions alike.

Victorian Trade Hall Council spokesperson, Felicity Sowerbutts said the pilot program is a big step in the right direction.

"It is huge announcement, especially for young workers"

"We know that 50 percent of young workers are casual workers and they depend on this income, now more than ever," she said.

Ms Felicity said the pandemic has shown us how important it is to give basic rights to insecure workers. She indicated that the lack of sick leave forces many to make tough choices.

"They have to make a decision whether they buy food that week or pay their bills or whether they turn up to work and put their co-workers, their work mates and potentially community as well, at risk," she said.

Hot on the heels of changes to the Victorian insecure workers' entitlements comes the announcement of overhaul to casual workers rights under Federal industry reform bill.

Minister Christian Porter introduced a new bill in the final week of parliament. The shake-up includes option of going permanent after 6 months of regular casual work and a year of employment.

The legislation that will not be voted on till 2021 has not garnered the same support from unions as Victoria's trial program.

Ms Felicity Sowerbutts, spokesperson for VTHC said the Federal bill would not help casual workers.

"On paper it sounds good,"

"We want casual workers to ultimately get permanent jobs, that is the goal," she said.

But the proposed changes by the Federal Government create more reasons for businesses to not hire casual employees said Ms Sowerbutts.

The many changes to insecure workers entitlements have caused confusion rather than celebration to casual workers like Mitch Evans and Julia Goldberg.

Julia works casually as a salesperson at Lululemon in Melbourne and prefers to stay in casual employment.

"I love being a casual worker," said Ms Julia. 

Working in retail, Julia will likely not be entitled to sick leave.

"I think if hospitality sector is included then so should retail, I mean I don't understand why we are not then," she said.

"I think it will encourage loyalty to the company," she added on the changes proposed in the Federal bill. 

"But it depends on how they implement it, businesses could go either way. I think my company won't but I know others are not as good as my employers," she said.

It's not just casual workers who had to take leave without pay in the pandemic. 

Self-employed Australians also lack the paid-leave entitlements available to employees on part-time or full-time contracts.

Meaning the Australian Council of Trade Union's claim of 3.3 million Australians going without sick leave during the pandemic is likely an understatement. 

The State and Federal changes could affect nearly 5 million Australian workers, as much as 37 percent of the workforce.