The United Workers Union (UWU) has welcomed the Victorian Labor Government’s Fair Jobs Code which will provide for a higher level of scrutiny of businesses that tender for big Government contracts.
UWU, which represents workers that are indirectly employed by the Victorian Government through various cleaning and security sub-contractors, worked with the Government to develop the Fair Jobs Code.
UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said he commended the State Government for implementing this evaluation process which should provide extra job security for Victorian workers.
“This gets us a step closer to ensuring only employers that adhere to high standards are rewarded with lucrative Government contracts,” Mr Kennedy said.
“The workers in the various industries that kept the Government running while many could work from home during the various COVID scares deserve more than a pat on the back for their efforts in keeping us safe and secure; and this policy goes some way to doing this.
“The race-to-the-bottom model of endless layers of contractors and sub-contractors has unfairly kept workers on the lowest possible wages while large corporations make fat profits.
“Preventing bad employers from being awarded Government contracts will help promote best practice, which in turn should provide good, safe, secure jobs for some of Victoria’s hardest workers.”