Act NOW! – Our current action is about young people and work

Ask the Victorian Government for better workplace laws for young people

The Victorian Government can legislate to specifically protect young people (15-17) in Victorian workplaces. The Government is currently reviewing laws in this area and the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania has been positively liaising with the Government and other community groups about this issue. The Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Rob Hulls has congratulated the church and community groups for their feedback so far. We are very hopeful for a good outcome.

Ensuring decent conditions for young workers should be a priority for Governments, employers and all others involved in the employment area. Many young people do not feel confident about negotiating their terms and conditions of employment.

There should be a set of standards for Victorian workplaces that are stronger than Commonwealth protections for workers 18 or above. New Victorian laws should respond to these and other issues:

• unpaid training (including so-called ‘trials’);
• extra pay for work undertaken on the weekend or late night work;
• advanced notice of changes to rosters so young people can better plan;
• the right of regular casuals to have their employment status transferred to permanent;
• safer workplaces – particularly in the areas of sexual and other harassment;
• underpayment for work; and,
• proper meal breaks.

Also, there is a need for greater community education in this area. Specific monitoring resources should also be allocated by the Victorian Government to ensure that young people are not exploited or abused at work.

Note: the Victorian Government provides an advice line for Victorian workers.