Government takes pressure off small business with revised Newstart plans, ACTU puts pressure on

 

THE Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) has congratulated the Abbott government and in particular Senator Eric Abetz, for listening to the concerns of small business and revising the proposal, featured in the budget, for job seekers to apply for 40 jobs per month down to 20 per month. 

Peter Strong, Chief Executive of COSBOA said that this change shows that the government has listened and responded to concerns of the small business community. 

“We’re very happy with the decision to change the number of applications job seekers need to complete. Due to the number of small businesses and the important role they play in our economy, it is important that the needs and concerns of small business are heard and considered in all national and state policy decisions,” Mr Strong said.

Despite this win today, COSBOA has also expressed great concern with a proposal from the ACTU for the mandatory conversion of casual workers into permanent positions.

“Casual workers choose to work as casuals for a variety of reasons and this decision should remain with them and the business owner. If a worker wants to be a casual, as it gives them more flexibility or a 25% loading on top of normal wages, then they should be free to do so,” Mr Strong said.

“There is also the real issue that small business owners are often reliant upon short-term contracts, seasonal variations in business or are at the mercy of Coles and Woolworths, and don’t have the certainty to employ  on a permanent basis; so it would be hard for them to give assurance  to their employees”.

“Small business in particular should not have all the problems associated with permanent employment thrust upon them, to do that would put businesses at risk and make employers think twice about employing staff. If we want more permanent employees we need to remove the fear of unfair dismissal from employers’ minds and make the paperwork easier,” continued Mr Strong.

http://www.cosboa.org.au/

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