The Secure Jobs Better Pay (SJBP) reforms were designed to address some areas where the industrial relations framework had not proven to be effective. The amendments were intended to improve and strengthen the operations of the Fair Work Act (FWA), including by increasing collective bargaining activity and coverage, improving job security and gender equality, and improving workplace conditions and protections.
While the full effect of the legislation is still to be seen, in general the operations of the SJBP Act have proven to be highly appropriate. However, in some areas, further changes are warranted to improve effectiveness, and to address unintended consequences.
Our submission addresses, at a broad level, the SJBP Act’s impact in relation to increasing collective bargaining, improving job security and gender equality, and improving workplace conditions and protections.
We also make observations and suggestions in relation to the appropriateness and effectiveness of some particular provisions and note some unintended consequences.
The submission:
- Examines broad trends in collective bargaining and wage increases to consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of the SJBP reforms in removing barriers to collective bargaining and increasing wages.
- Considers the need for improvements to increase the effectiveness of the multi-employer bargaining reforms.
- Makes several observations in relation to the gender equality reforms and job security reforms in the SJBP Act, including the provisions for limiting the use of fixed-term contracts.
- Considers some of the workplace conditions and protections amendments in SJBP Act, focusing on the flexible working arrangements and sexual harassment amendments.