Long Service Leave Bill For Cleaning Industry Introduced

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Industrial Relations

Media Statement - 30 June 1999

Labor Industrial Relations spokesperson Wayne Berry today introduced legislation to provide for workers in the cleaning, building and property services industry to accrue long service leave benefits.

Mr Berry said, "At first glance that might seem unremarkable, and it should be unremarkable. Long service leave has been a fact of life for most workers in this country for many years. However, for some workers it is still a dream.

"Many have never had long service leave, in spite of spending many years in the same industry, doing the same job. The fact is that some workers, while remaining in a single industry find that their workplace might change or that their employer might change and they have to start all over again with their long service leave.

"As part of the development of this legislation I have consulted with the union which represents cleaners as well as the employers during the drafting stage.

"This bill provides for long service leave payments by employers to be made into a central fund which will be managed by a board with an employer and an employee representative.

"The bill also provides for registration of employers and employees, annual statements, and once the required benefits have accrued, payments to be made. The benefit is set at the rate generally applying in the private sector - 2 months after 10 years service.

"There are also safeguards and appeals processes to protect the interests of both employers and employees.

"This legislation will cover over 2,000 workers in the cleaning industry and if successful it will be warmly welcomed by a group of workers whose work and conditions of employment often go unnoticed," Mr Berry concluded.