Date Time
Azarias report highlights need for action on agriculture sector abuse
A report from John Azarias’s National Agricultural Workforce Strategy has once again revealed the cesspool of worker abuse in Australian agriculture, and highlights the urgent need for a Royal Commission, according to the Retail Supply Chain Alliance.
The report, released last week, notes that “dependence on an overseas seasonal and transient workforce is one of the biggest issues faced by a number of developed countries”, and that “using low-cost labour is not a long-term solution, and indeed can be a highly risky option”.
The RSCA is a partnership between the Australian Workers’ Union, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association and the Transport Workers’ Union.
Premier Investments Chairman Solomon Lew. Source: AAP Image/Julian Smith
Premier Investments-owned retail giant Just Group is under investigation by the workplace regulator in relation to its compliance with JobKeeper provisions in workplace law.
The owner of fashion retail chains such as Peter Alexander, Jay Jays, Just Jeans and Portmans, Just Group received $70 million in JobKeeper from the federal government, however, its use of the payments is now subject to an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman, according to
A Fair Work Ombudsman spokesperson confirmed the regulator is currently investigating Just Group but did not provide any further details.
“As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time,” the spokesperson told
ASIC sues REST Super for misleading conduct
Mar 2, 2021 – 5.34pm
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The corporate watchdog has accused the $60 billion REST Super of misleading and deceptive conduct, alleging the industry superannuation fund tried to stop members transferring their savings to a better performing fund.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission civil case, filed in the Federal Court on Tuesday, alleges REST gained a benefit from the deceptive activity over a decade by retaining members who would have otherwise left, which subsidised fees for other members and increased the size of the fund.
Retail workers are most affected by the alleged misleading behaviour at the REST super fund.
Small business groups and unions strike deal to give part-timers in retail extra hours without penalty rates
Westfield shopping centre in Doncaster, Victoria. Source: AAP.
The Council of Small Business Groups Australia (COSBOA) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) are jointly supporting changes to the retail award, which would allow 1.2 million part-time employees to work extra shifts without receiving penalty rates.
The agreement to change the
General Retail Industry Award was first struck between the peak retail union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, and Master Grocers Australia, which represents independent grocers, and now has the backing of both COSBOA and the ACTU.