The dark side of racing

By Kath Gannaway
A REPORT into the racing industry which showed that workers were often overworked, underpaid and uninformed has led to a series of workplace seminars.
Horse trainers and stable employees will have the opportunity to become more aware of their rights and obligations under workplace relations laws through the State Government-funded seminars.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Rob Hulls said the seminars would also form part of Racing Victoria’s efforts to lift standards across the racing industry.
Mr Hulls said the seminars were a response to problems in the industry identified in a report done in 2007 by Victoria University.
“That report found many racing industry employees were overworked, which affected their health and family relationships,” Mr Hulls said.
“It showed many stable employees were not paid proper award rates, did not understand the benefits of superannuation and suffered because of unsafe practices at many stables. Trainers were also often not paid appropriately by owners.”
“The report also showed that both trainers and stable employees lacked appropriate qualifications in horse training, equal opportunity policies, harassment and bullying prevention strategies, and in promoting co-operative industrial relations, business management and financial management.
Further information is available from Racing Victoria Limited (RVL), the Australian Trainers Association and the Australian Workers Union who, Mr Hulls said, were firmly committed to addressing the issues that confront stable employees and trainers.