Fed: Pay scales to be published

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2007
Fed: Pay scales to be published

CANBERRA, April 21 AAP - The Australian Fair Pay Commission has reversed a decision
not to publish pay scales which will inform employees of minimum wages under the government's
new workplace laws.

The introduction of the federal government's Work Choices scheme last year saw thousands
of new pay scales created.

But until now, the Fair Pay Commission has rejected calls from unions and employer
organisations to publish pay scales.

The failure to publish concerned employer groups who have argued that the lack of accurate,
legally binding and published pay scales caused confusion and the possibility of workers
being underpaid.

The Fair Pay Commission today announced that it would publish the material in response
to the growing pressure from employer groups and unions.

But the head of the commission Professor Ian Harper said it was a complex matter that
would take some time to resolve.

"Nearly all of our stakeholders made it clear ... they wanted the commission to publish
pay scales and the commission is responding directly to these issues," he said.

"This is a complex matter... it is just not possible to publish these pay scales by
simply pressing a button on a computer, they must be developed through consultation and
agreement with the affected parties."

Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout welcomed the move but acknowledged
that the process will be complex.

"It will be a complex task and it is therefore essential that the commission has sufficient
resources to deliver, Ai Group will be offering every cooperation to the commission in
its work," Mrs Ridout said.

ACTU president Sharan Burrows also welcomed the decision but said previous failure
to publish the pay scales was the act of a "callous government".

"Thousands of working Australians will be underpaid as a result of the Fair Pay Commission
failing to publish these pay scales last year," she said.

"The move is absolutely good for working Australians... but another black mark against
a government who really are determined that IR laws will continue to be used to drive
down wages and conditions," she said.

AAp sld/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE PAY

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.