Matters of Interest

Labour Day

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:23): When it comes to fighting for workers' rights and injustice, we often focus on what is wrong in the workplace—on the negative. This is important because we need to shine a light on the extent of things like wage theft and exploitation, and we need to ensure that we have fair and just laws to protect all workers. However, in celebration of May Day today, I would like to focus on the positive. I wish to acknowledge the people and organisations who work tirelessly to help workers who find themselves facing such difficulties.

I am not talking about the unions, although I greatly acknowledge and appreciate their vital role. I am referring to the people who give their time and expertise freely or for little remuneration to help right injustice and fill the gaps that exist by offering support and free legal representation primarily to non-unionised workers. Today, I would like to talk about two such organisations: the Young Workers Legal Service and the Working Women's Centre SA. Both are not-for-profit legal and community service providers that provide an essential service to workers who would otherwise not know where to turn.

The Young Workers Legal Service (YWLS) provides free legal information, advice and representation on workplace problems to workers under the age of 30. I understand it is one of the only such services of its kind in the state that focuses exclusively on young workers. In the 15 years since it was established it has recovered over $1.5 million for its clients, and it has done so through the hard work and dedication of a single legally qualified coordinator and the assistance of law students who volunteer their time. This is an extraordinary effort.

The Working Women's Centre, on the other hand, has been offering legal advice and representation to women for 40 years. Each centre receives many more inquiries than they can manage with their small but always efficient staff. The Young Workers Legal Service, for example, receives around 300 phone or email inquiries a year and helps approximately 60 clients a year.

Each organisation has stated that wage theft, in particular, is a growing problem. The YWLS has statistics to show that wage theft represents around 70 per cent of all cases they see. The incidence of wage theft appears to have increased by around 17 per cent in the past five years compared with the previous five years. Yet, despite the efforts of organisations such as the Working Women's Centre and the Young Workers Legal Service, many workers are still falling through the cracks. This is because there are still significant barriers that impede workers from accessing the services they need to make a claim regarding unfair workplace treatment.

Some may not have the financial means or enough experience to fully understand their legal rights as workers. Others may fear the potential negative implications their claim may have on their future job prospects. This is why such organisations that provide culturally appropriate services that are tailored and sensitive to the client's specific circumstances—free of charge—are so very important in overcoming these barriers.

The Young Workers Legal Service, the Working Women's Centre and other organisations offering similar services are filling a serious gap in services, but they cannot manage the growing number of clients alone. This makes it all the more shameful that the South Australian Liberal government is getting ready to repeal the labour hire laws. These are laws that would help ensure fewer workers would need the services of organisations such as the Young Workers Legal Service and the Working Women's Centre.

In light of this and in light of May Day, which not only acknowledges the importance of protecting workers' rights but also celebrates workers' enormous contribution to society and the economy, l thank all the people involved in the Working Women's Centre and the Young Workers Legal Service for giving their time, energy and expertise so willingly to ensure workers are treated fairly and can get assistance when they need it. Please know that your important work and contribution is seen, recognised and immensely appreciated.

The ACTING PRESIDENT (Hon. D.G.E. Hood): Before I call the Hon. Ms Lee I will bring to members' attention that the clock directly above me, which normally shows the five-minute countdown, is not displaying at the moment. What I intend to do is that I will give each member a one-minute notice prior to the end of their five minutes during their contribution for the rest of the matters of interest contributions.