[Greens-Media] State government should continue funding for Jobwatch (Pennicuik MLC, Vic)

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Wed 4 May 2011

State government should continue funding for JobWatch

Greens MP and IR spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik urged the state government in 
parliament today to re-think its decision to discontinue funding for 
JobWatch.

"JobWatch is a state treasure," Ms Pennicuik said. "For 30 years, it has 
provided free advice and advocacy for workers on issues such as 
non-payment or underpayment of wages, bullying at work, unfair dismissal, 
and a host of other workplace issues. It has built up significant 
expertise and has an excellent reputation in the community."

"In the last 10 years, Jobwatch has assisted approximately 20,000 people 
each year and recovered millions of dollars in wages for vulnerable 
workers," Ms Pennicuik said. "Where will these workers go if JobWatch 
ceases operating due to loss of funding?"

"Inexplicably, the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations has 
said that the activities of JobWatch are no longer aligned with the 
objectives of his department. I would have thought that fairness at work 
is a core objective of his department," she said.

"I urge the Minister to reconsider his decision and to reinstate support 
and funding for JobWatch, which up until now has been provided by both 
Labour and Coalition governments, so that workers in vulnerable and 
precarious employment and who are not being treated fairly at work have a 
place to go for advice and assistance," Ms Pennicuik concluded.

For further comment:  Sue Pennicuik  0409 055 875

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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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