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But there are still thousands of workers missing out on that most basic and fundamental working right of all: Fair pay for fair work.
Workers like Sorcha. She was working around 52 hours as a bartender every week, but only getting paid for 38. As she herself said, “they got a free week out of me every month.”
Then there’s James. He too prided himself on his hard work. But it didn’t stop his employer ripping him off to the tune of $13,000. And yet his boss still told him: “We value your work.” …just not enough to pay him properly.
Short-changing, underpaying and ripping-off your workers… It’s not just wrong. It’s criminal. And today I can tell you that, under a re-elected Labor Government, it will be.
Whether you’re a convenience store chain or a celebrity chef… If you deliberately and dishonestly underpay your workers. If you deny or deprive them of what is rightfully theirs. You will face jail. Up to ten years.
A fair and decent wage matters. But it’s not the only thing. Every morning, when I say goodbye to Cath and the kids, they never have to worry that I might not return that night. Other families don’t have that luxury.
In the last decade, 234 Victorians have lost their lives at work. 234 terrible tragedies. But they’re not just numbers. They’re real lives.
A 42-year-old foundry worker – and dad of two – whose kids lost a father. A 69-year-old painter – so, so close to retirement – who never made it home. An 18-year-old manufacturing worker – a son and a brother – whose life was just beginning.
Life was just beginning for Jack Brownlee as well. 21 years old. A loved son and brother. His workmate, Charlie Howkins, was a husband and father of two. On March 20 this year, Charlie and Jack both lost their lives when a trench collapsed at a worksite.
Yesterday, I sat down with their families. Lana, Dave, Janine – I will never be able to fully explain your strength. And I will never, ever forget Janine’s words: “They just went to work. They were just doing their job.” “Jack and Charlie, they should have come home.”
Under the current laws: Employers whose negligence results in the death of an employee will just end up copping a fine. That’s not right. That’s not fair. And that’s certainly not justice.
Under a re-elected Labor Government, we will make workplace manslaughter a crime.pic.twitter.com/nhKrLpc5ZJ
We’ll amend the OH&S Act, so that if an employer’s negligence causes death – they will be held to account. That doesn’t just mean thousands of dollars in fines. That means millions. And it’ll mean jail time – up to 20 years.
We’ll make sure these laws extend to staff and beyond. They’ll cover a visiting supplier. A routine maintenance worker. Or three innocent people walking down a busy street, on the edge of our city.
And we’ll make sure these new laws are effectively enforced. We’ll invest in the powers, the people and the resources required. And we’ll work with unions and businesses to make sure we get the job done right.
It just goes to show: Only Labor Governments actually change the rules.
But everything we’ve fought for, and everything we’ve achieved - all of it could be undone in an instant. In just 182 days, Victorians will choose who leads our state for another four years.
It will be a very clear choice. Victorians can vote for a Party that stands for cuts, closures and big corporations. Or a Party that believes in good, secure jobs.
...a party that fights for fair wages and safe workplaces. A Party that invests in hospitals and schools. A Party that builds road and rail. A Party that puts people first. A Party that gets things done. A Party that delivers for all Victorians.
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