SA Unions

News Release

CHILD LABOUR LAWS FACT FIRST TEST - BUSINESS OPPOSES PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN

3 November 2006

A proposed law to protect children from exploitation faces its first test in the Industrial Relations Commission today (3 November).

Business SA, other employers and the state government will appear before the Commission to state their position on the Child Labour Award 2006, drafted by SA Unions.

Business SA's initial written response shows it wants to knock out the proposed law.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says Business SA is opposing measures to protect children from exploitation.

"It is opposed to ensuring children are properly paid. It is opposed to reasonable working hours so that children can balance school and work. It is opposed to measures preventing young children from working solo overnight shifts. It is opposed to safety measures stopping children from being seriously injured. It is opposed to a reporting system to protect child workers from paedophiles", Ms Giles says.

"Business SA says it not only challenges the IRC's right to consider this Award, but it opposes the proposed law as "unnecessary". Try telling that to kids working all night by themselves in a fast food outlet, or a teenager permanently disfigured as a result of unsafe conditions, or to the parents of children struggling at school because work eats into their homework time."

"Business SA also says it opposes this law because it will be an economic burden to employers. Business SA is prepared to see children compromised for the sake of profits."

"SA Unions thinks this Award is more than necessary; it is absolutely vital to protect children from the hostile Federal Government and its dangerous IR laws. It is vital in protecting children from unscrupulous employers who would use federal laws to exploit children for profit."

"SA Unions is utterly determined to pursue these laws - we will fight as hard as we ever have to protect the young and vulnerable", Ms Giles says.