Unions to get power to challenge how businesses use AI

Companies could be hauled into arbitration to deal with union disputes over their use of artificial intelligence as part of broad workplace protections the NSW Labor government is pushing to …

Kmart denies sourcing any products from factories linked to forced labour in China 

Kmart is facing legal action in the federal court, taken by an Australian-based Uyghur group, who say they have a reasonable belief the retail giant may be sourcing some of …

Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review (Australia)

In the Annual Wage Review 2023–24 decision, this Commission determined to undertake a review (Review) on its own initiative pursuant to s 157(3)(a) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) …

A landmark ruling will tackle the gender pay gap for thousands of workers

The Fair Work Commission has found award pay rates in five industrial awards covering a range of female-dominated occupations and industries do not provide equal pay. The commission proposed significant …

Thousands of imports enter Australia from firms blacklisted by US over alleged Uyghur forced labour links

Australia is allowing thousands of imports from Chinese companies blacklisted by the US over alleged links to forced Uyghur labour, including a supplier of parts to Sydney Metro vehicles, government …

Gig economy workers could win minimum employment standards under new laws

Food delivery riders and parcel couriers could be granted minimum employment standards for the first time, as changes to employment law come into effect. Independent contractors, including gig economy drivers …

New laws come into force in Australia giving workers the ‘right to disconnect’

Workers across Australia can now refuse to monitor, read or respond to work communication outside paid hours – unless doing so is unreasonable – after the federal government’s workplace reforms …

Closing loopholes bill: the right to disconnect and five other changes coming to Australian workplaces

Laws agreed by Labor, Greens and David Pocock allows casuals to more easily apply to become permanent and may increase pay in gig economy. Labor’s closing loopholes bill passed the Senate on …

Qantas guilty over treatment of virus-concerned worker

Qantas will face sentencing in a criminal court after a judge found the airline breached workplace health and safety law in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. SafeWork NSW …

Special Issue – COVID-19: Labour, Migration, and Exploitation

“This Special Issue of Anti-Trafficking Review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of low-wage, migrant, and informal workers. With contributions from Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Europe, Nigeria, …