THE Australian Labor Government was proud to have restored workers rights and fairness in the workplace, Parliamentary Secretary for Workplace Relations Senator Jacinta Collins told the 100th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, today.
Addressing government, employer and worker representatives of the 183 member states of the UN International Labour Organisation, Senator Collins said: “As a founding member, Australia has had a long and productive relationship with the ILO”.
“But that relationship was tested throughout the term of the previous Australian Government whose WorkChoices system was the subject of repeated criticism from the ILO’s supervisory bodies.”
“It gives me great pleasure to represent a Labor Government that, two years ago, implemented the Fair Work Act. We have certainly been through a turbulent period but we are proud to have put our system back on track.”
“This is a significant achievement, not just for our Government but for Australian workers and their families who voted so overwhelmingly at the 2007 election to restore vital protections for workers, and in doing so uphold the fundamental conventions of the ILO.”
Senator Collins also pointed to the signing of the historic Australia-ILO Partnership Agreement which funds ILO projects in the Asia-Pacific region and the Government’s impending ratification of four ILO Conventions in 2011 as evidence of Australia’s renewed commitment to the ILO.
“The progress made towards ratification of four ILO Conventions will further enshrine decent, safe and fair conditions for our workers, while improving Australia’s productive capacity at the same time,” Senator Collins said.
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