VTHC statement on Pandemic Legislation
Victorian Trades Hall Council supports the passage of the Pandemic Bill in Victorian Parliament. The amendments negotiated by Rod Barton and other crossbench members should provide confidence to all Victorians that governments responding to future pandemics will be subject to significant oversight.
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Statement on the Pandemic Bill
Victorian Trades Hall Council supports the proposed amendments to the Pandemic Bill which is due to be debated in the Victorian Parliament this week. The amendments are a sensible and straight forward approach to protecting the lawful industrial rights of workers during public health emergencies.
Read moreVictorian Trades Hall Council statement on requirement for all authorised workers to be vaccinated
The health and safety of Victorian workers is our number one priority. Right now we’re seeing a surge in cases that is going to affect people in all workplaces, but in particular this surge is going to put our health workers and other front-line workers at risk.
Read moreWage Theft Laws – Change Starts TODAY
From today, employers in Victoria who deliberately underpay wages or other entitlements like superannuation could face substantial fines or up to 10 years’ jail. This is a huge, worker-led victory. Union members campaigned together to make wage theft a crime to bring justice and change to exploited workers.
Until now, an employee stealing from the till was a criminal matter, but an employer stealing thousands from their employees was merely an administrative error. The worker could be charged by police for theft and could receive a criminal record - but the boss would simply be asked to repay what they stole.
Read moreVictorian Peak Bodies Call for Immediate Wage Subsidy Support for Workers
Victorian peak bodies are calling for the Commonwealth to immediately reinstate wage subsidies that were prematurely ended at the end of March – but this time, expand eligibility to cover all workers including casuals who have been in the job for less than 12 months, and migrant workers.
Victoria’s snap COVID lockdowns have yet again caused thousands of people to lose shifts and income. In light of the uncertainty and financial precarity currently experienced by so many workers during this time, Victorian peak bodies are calling on the Morrison Government to provide ongoing support for all who have lost work due to the pandemic.
Read moreAnother solid budget delivered for Victorian workers
Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) commends the Andrews’ Labor Government for a budget that is focused on new job creation and delivering services to our community, but the attack on public sector workers and their wages is uncalled for.
VTHC applauds the unprecedented investment to dramatically transform our mental health system – delivering services where they are needed and creating thousands of jobs in the process.
Read moreUnions welcome stronger mental health and safety protections
The Victorian union movement welcomes today's announcement by the Victorian Government of new regulation around psycho-social hazards and workers’ mental health.
Unions have for many years argued the need for strengthened protections against psychological hazards and injury. Victorian workers are reporting psychological injuries at work in growing numbers. The effects of these mental injuries can be devastating to workers and their families.
Read moreUnions commend Victorian Government’s national leadership in gig economy
Victorian Trades Hall Council has praised the Victorian Government’s response to the Inquiry into the Victorian On-Demand Workforce, which includes accepting the inquiry’s recommendations and allocating $5million in funding support.
Read moreInternational Workers’ Memorial Day: 28.04.21
Every year, Victorian Trades Hall Council hosts a memorial service to remember those Victorians who lost their lives at work. On Wednesday April 28, International Workers’ Memorial Day will be held in person at Trades Hall (subject to COVID-19 conditions). The ceremony will include speeches from Tim Pallas, Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations; Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Workplace Safety and Minister for Early Childhood; Colin Radford, WorkSafe CEO; Madeleine Harradence, ANMF Assistant Secretary; and Luke Hilakari, Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council.
Read moreSolidarity With Myanmar
Every night at 8pm local time, residents of the largest city in Myanmar, Yangon, bang on pots and pans to show their opposition to the military coup that has taken over their country in recent weeks.
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