[Greens-Media] Rights of building workers must be respected - Greens

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Rights of building workers must be respected - Greens
Monday 24th November 2008

The Australian Greens today renewed their calls for the Australian
Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) to be abolished, and voiced
their concerns over the future state of industrial relations in Western
Australia.

"WA State Commerce Minister Troy Buswell's threats of creating a
replacement WA-specific ABCC clearly show how out of touch the WA
Liberals truly are," said Australian Greens spokesperson on industrial
relations Senator Rachel Siewert. 

"It is very concerning that the direction of industrial relations in WA
could revert back to the dark days of employment conditions under the
Court Government."

"The continued powers of the ABCC are an affront to our democracy." 

"These laws take away the right to silence, deny people their choice of
lawyer, provide powers to compel evidence with the possibility of gaol
for non-compliance, and impose severe restrictions on the rights of
workers to organise and bargain collectively."

"The International Labor Organisation has repeatedly commented that the
ABCC legislation breaches international labor conventions to which
Australia is a signatory. The ILO is a tri-partite body and it has found
these laws breach the right to organise and collective bargain and the
right to freedom of association," said Senator Siewert.

The Greens' Bill enabling the abolition of the ABCC was referred to
committee for review in September, with the report expected this Friday.

"The ABCC should be abolished and the building industry around Australia
regulated just like any other industry - in a fair and just manner that
balances the needs of productivity and the economy with the health,
safety and democratic rights of workers," concluded Senator Siewert.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180