DIRT CHEAP AND DISPOSABLE
NEW REPORT REVEALS RAMPANT EXPLOITATION OF YOUNG
SOUTH AUSTRALIANS
7 September 2005
Young South Australians are
experiencing workplace exploitation so severe it is affecting their
career options and tainting their working futures, according to a
landmark new report conducted by the Young People & Unions Network,
U-Who.
Two years of surveys and analysis has
uncovered an appalling picture of abuse, harassment, mistreatment
and unfairness.
SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says
it is sickening to think that such abuses can take place every day
in a so-called civilised society.
"This report is not about being
alarmist, but rather should spur everyone - employers, governments
and unions - to act immediately and give our kids safe, secure and
fair jobs", Ms Giles says.
"Titled 'Dirt Cheap and Disposable', it
details the problems and serves as a guidepost for improvements."
"We need an urgent overhaul of the
traineeship and apprenticeship system, a rort riddled source of
cheap labour with young people dropping out in disillusionment.
We also want a sharper focus on youth needs as part of the state
strategic plan, and tougher industrial protections. Too many
trainees have NO protections whatsoever."
Dirt Cheap and Disposable showed:
The link between declining education
standards and uncertain work
-
South Australia has the mainland's
highest youth unemployment at 27.9%
-
Lowest school retention rate at 68%
(national average 75.7%)
-
Lowest rate of tertiary
participation at 13.7% (national average 18.2%)
-
Highest level of job insecurity
with 48% of males and 57% females in casual work
Employer pressure
-
Up to 36% pressured to work
overtime without pay
-
Up to 43% forced to work while sick
-
Up to 42% forced to work through
meal breaks
-
22% fired for reasons they felt
unfair and 17% fired or lost shifts after a birthday
High levels of workplace injuries
-
35% suffered an injury at work
-
Just 50% of injuries were reported
-
And just 25% of those lodged a
workers compensation claim
Serious harassment
Growing job insecurity
-
Casual rates for young people have
risen from 39% for males and 49% for females in 1992 to 48% for
males and 57% for females in 2003
-
Figures are higher still for
certain industries including accommodation, cafes and
restaurants, retail and transport/storage sectors
-
Full time employment declining
Poor pay
-
Training rates of as little as
$5.95 an hour
-
Increased reliance on a 'wage free'
workforce with growing turnover of people on 'trial' without pay
-
30% paid less than their award
-
Unauthorised wage deductions
-
Increasing trend towards
underpaying Australian Workplace Agreements (individual
contracts) that also strip work rights
Apprentice and traineeship failings
-
50% or more don't complete their
apprenticeship because of unsatisfactory conditions
-
Approximately 23% cited bullying as
their major reason for withdrawing
-
2/3 trainees and 3/5 of apprentices
cited no or poor quality training
"In the drive for profits, too many
employers are blatantly taking advantage of vulnerable young
workers. We need much tougher protections, and we need them
quickly, as federal moves to strip back workplace rights will leave
young workers even more exposed", Ms Giles says.
"There are some employers who are doing
the right thing. But they are finding it difficult to compete
with those who gain a competitive advantage by exploiting their
workforce", she says.
"The state government too deserves
credit for several important initiatives, notably efforts to improve
education and training to enable young people to obtain better
skilled, more stable, less exploitative employment opportunities.
But there is still more that could and should be done, and we hope
this report will become part of a blueprint for real and lasting
improvement", Ms Giles says.