FED:Dads get year off to look after baby under Labor IR policy=2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2007
FED:Dads get year off to look after baby under Labor IR policy=2

"Labor recognises that many families want to have a parent provide all or most of the
care for a child during the first two years of the child's life," the policy says.

Labor would also guarantee workers eight national public holidays, as well as prescribed
state or local public holidays such as Labour Day and Melbourne Cup Day.

The minimum conditions will include mandated redundancy pay for workers in a job for
more than a year and minimum periods of notice if they are sacked.

The second phase of the safety net relates to further conditions that can be guaranteed
in workers' awards.

"Labor believes that awards are an important safety net and an effective floor for
collective bargaining. Collective agreements will be able to override award entitlements
provided the agreement means employees are genuinely better off," the policy says.

"Under Labor, awards may build on and also provide industry detail on Labor's legislated
minimum standards.

"Labor's new awards may only contain a further 10 minimum employment standards."

These can include standards on minimum wages, overtime and penalty rates, allowances
and superannuation.

AAP so/lh

KEYWORD: LABOR WORKPLACE STANDARDS 2 SYDNEY

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.