Critical Times

The combined impact of the state budget and the dreadful WorkCover laws marks June 5, 2008 as a dark day for SA, according to SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles.

“Mike Rann proudly describes himself as being a “pro business Premier”, but he fort to add “anti worker” to the equation”, Ms Giles says.

“This budget reinforces the business windfall announced last year, and comes at a time when vulnerable injured workers are being stripped of entitlements.”

The facts speak for themselves :

* $106 million payroll tax cut for the 08-09 financial year * $150 million reduction in business costs due to regulation changes * $3 million reduction in WorkCover levies * $2 million saving in minimum wages if the government insists on a $20 week increase for the low paid, instead of the union claim of $26 a week.

= total bonus to business $261 million this financial year

Contrast that with an injured worker :

* 3,000 people set to be kicked of the Work Cover scheme losing a collective $78 million in 08-09 * $22 million in lost wages due to the 10% and 20% step down in WorkCover entitlements after 13 and 26 weeks

= total loss to workers $100 million this financial year

“This is a state that has the lowest wages and lowest business costs in Australia – but also has the lowest skills level too.”

“A forward looking constructive government would invest in skills, undertake an infrastructure program that provides employment while building state asset wealth, and embrace new ways of boosting workforce participation.”

“A generous Paid Maternity Leave scheme utilising just $30 million of the business windfall of $261 million would be a far more productive, employment boosting approach with lasting benefits for the state.”

“Sadly however, this government is prisoner to the old fashioned thinking of the business lobby. It has sacrificed social responsibility on the altar of business profit, and the working families who voted Labor are being let down by the party that promised them plenty but failed to deliver. Now injured workers stand to lose their income and lose their houses as a result of these draconian WorkCover laws.”

“This is a dark, dark day for SA when the vulnerable injured are robbed of their rights, and business gets all the breaks”, Ms Giles says.