News Release

DOCO "WISES UP" YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT WORK RIGHTS

LAUNCH - MERCURY CINEMA
 

 

 

15 June 2006

 

A new short documentary - by young people, for young people - aims to wise up young workers about their employment rights.

 

The film "YouthWorks - the High Price of a Low Wage" tells of the real life experiences of young workers in South Australia.

 

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles describe it as a landmark film which reveals that many young workers recognise they have rights, but face challenges demanding a fair deal.

 

"We would like every high school student in South Australia to see this film, and recognise that they don't have to put up with underpayment, bullying, harassment, unfair shifts and unsafe work practices."

 

"Young people can readily identify with their peers who've spoken out for this documentary.  We hope it will inspire them to take control of their rights and resist exploitation," Ms Giles says.

 

Issues explored from the perspective of young workers include -

• Underpayment of wages - Young workers are paid about half the rate of adults, yet about 10% of young workers don't get the pay they're entitled to, either through deliberate underpayment or oversight

• Precarious employment - Entire industries are built on the back of young casual and part time workers ye there's little job security or control over hours worked.  Flexibility for employers often translates to unfair shifts and inadequate breaks.  Young people cannot have a normal life as they have no notice of when they will be required to work and if they refuse a shift they could lose their job.

• Harassment - It is estimated about 20% of young workers experience sexual harassment, and about 25% are bullied, pressured to work overtime and compelled to work through rest breaks.

• Injuries- Young workers are injured at higher rates than adults, often due to lack of experience and lack of adequate training.  Compensation is often complicated by the tenuous nature of their employment.

The document features "Sally" who was working in the hospitality industry.  She tells of the perils of casual work in the restaurant trade, finishing shifts at 2.00 am and being expected to be back at work at 6.00 am.

 

"They expected an awful lots of us and gave us nothing in return", she says in the film.

 

"They rang me up out of the blue and said there is no more work available - do your next shift on Saturday and then leave your uniform behind - don't even launder it.  I was shocked and knew that something wasn't right."

 

"I spoke to a friend of mine who also works with me and he thought it was a bit dodgy too - he rang the union on my behalf and they thought I had been unfairly dismissed, and recommended I contact the Young Workers Legal Service."

 

It was judged that Sally had been unfairly dismissed and she reached a settlement with her former employer.  Sally now works as a teacher.

 

YouthWorks Director, Alex Solomon-Bridge says the documentary aims to inform, enlighten and empower.

 

"Young workers are the most exploited, the most insecure and the least collectively organised to defend their rights.  They suffer the worst conditions, the lowest wages and have almost no say in their workplaces.  Injury, harassment, insecurity and underpayment are big issues."

 

"Yet despite this sense of legal, political and industrial powerlessness, we have discovered that many young people are aware that they do have rights - it is just a matter of protecting them."

 

"We hope that this documentary, at a time when the federal government's notorious work laws are starting to bite, will inspire young workers to take control of their lives and take a stand against exploitation."

 

"We're on the verge of a new era of working together for the common good.  Young people are wising up to the potential of getting a better deal they band together.  By knowing your rights and standing up for them united, you have a much better chance of fair, safe employment", Mr Solomon-Bridge says.