Many casual workers can now become permanent

A worker labors on the scaffolding below the Route

A worker labors on the scaffolding below the Route 495 viaduct ahead of a project to remodel the bridge which feeds into the Lincoln Tunnel, Wednesday, Source: AP

More Australians are in line to obtain secure employment, with changes from the Fair Work Ombudsman now in effect as of this week. ((oct 1))


The Australian Council of Trade Unions has welcomed the changes, but it says there still may be employees who miss out.

Casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least a year now have the right to ask their employers for permanent contracts.

Last year's ruling from the Fair Work Ombudsman, which came into effect on Monday, ((oct 1)) says people working as regular casual employees are entitled to request their employment be converted to full-time or part-time.

A regular casual employee is someone who has worked a pattern of hours on an ongoing basis for at least 12 months.

For full-time work, that would be working an average of 38 hours or more per week across the year.

A regular casual employee who works fewer than 38 hours on average per week  could request permanent part-time.

Unions have welcomed the changes to the 70 award brackets, saying it gives the rights back to many workers.

Australian Council of Trade Unions ((ACTU)) president Michelle ((mih-SHEL)) O'Neill says every employee should be able to have secure work.

Please listen to the full report in Pashto.


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