News Release

 

CRACKER YEAR FOR YOUNG WORKERS LEGAL SERVICE
 

 

 

26 November 2006

 

South Australia's Young Workers has had a bumper year, topping the $300,000 mark in recovery of unpaid wages and entitlements for exploited workers.

 

Launching its 05/06 annual report, the Service's Director, Olivia Guarna says the YWLS has really proved its worth in standing up for vulnerable young workers.

 

"In the past three years, the YWLS has established itself as a valuable asset for people aged under 30, who otherwise might not achieve fairness at work."

 

"Its workload is growing - in the past financial year the YWLS saw 167 clients, taking the total number of cases handled since its inception in October 2003 to 423.  That's all the more impressive as the service operates just one day a week, on Tuesdays."

 

"Underpayment of wages continues to be the number one problem for young workers.  Nearly 40% of problems (66 cases) related to employers denying workers their rightful pay and entitlements", Ms Guarna says.

 

"From as little as $70 to as much as $11,5000, the YWLS has clawed back for young workers what was rightfully theirs.  In the Service's 3 years, we have recovered $301,544.  It shows young people continue to be ripped off, but that there is a growing awareness that help is available."

 

"When you are a young worker on rock-bottom wage, often in a casual job with practically no job security, the last thing you need is being ripped off by your boss.  We see only these cases where the worker has got up the courage to approach the YWLS and confront their employer - but how many hundreds, even thousands of others are being underpaid that we never hear about for fear of retribution or job loss?"

 

"It is not surprising that the second biggest area of concern is unfair dismissal.  It accounted for 26% of our case load (46 cases).  The YWLS faces a big challenge cause tackling unfair dismissal has been made significantly harder as a result of the new federal IR laws."

 

“The majority of problems occurred in the retail and hospitality sectors, where many young people tend to be employed, often in casual positions with limited conditions and job security” Ms Guarna says.

 

SA Unions secretary Janet Giles says the Young Workers Legal Service is a lifeline for young workers otherwise adrift in the stormy employment market.

“It’s run by committed young volunteers from the Flinders and Adelaide university law school, who can readily identify with the problems their clients are facing.”

 

“Their dedication and commitment is certainly being put to the test, as the new federal IR really begin to bite. Workers have had their right stripped back to just 5 basics, and young workers in particular are being presented with dodgy and unfair individual contracts because unscrupulous employers know they’re generally too inexperienced and vulnerable to make a fuss.”

 

“I am particularly concerned that the Service’s ability to redress unfair dismissal has been severely affected by the new laws. The federal government has essentially legislated for unfairness. That’s costing young workers dearly as they’re being treated like disposable fodder, consigned to the scrap heap at the whim of the employer, with no right of response.”

 

“The federal laws are a full frontal assault on the future of our children. The Prime Minister’s idea of Australian competitiveness is to drive down wages and conditions to the levels of China and India – and our children are paying the price.”

 

“That’s why SA Unions is backing the Young Workers Legal Service – and pushing for child labour laws – to ensure our children can work free of exploitation, in safe environments free of bullying and harassment, for their rightful entitlements.”

 

Ms Giles says the Young Workers Legal Service will continue to advocate for young people thanks to a state government funding commitment for the next two years.

 

“The Service has proved its worth on so many levels – advocating for young workers, winning recompense when they’ve been exploited, and giving experience to the lawyers of tomorrow. I feel confident it will go from strength to strength” Ms Giles says.