By Parker McKenzie
The State Government’s Fair Jobs Code is aiming to provide safe, secure and inclusive workplaces for employees, with all suppliers and businesses benefiting from large government contracts or grants required to comply.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Ben Carroll said the move would create better jobs and boost economic activity across the state when he launched the code on Wednesday 10 August.
“As we remove level crossings, build roads, schools and hospitals, deliver new trains, trams and buses, we are using our purchasing power to put workers first – where they should be,” he said.
“The Fair Jobs Code will encourage businesses to provide job security and establish safe workplaces for Victorian workers.”
The Victorian Fair Jobs Code will come into effect on Thursday 1 December and will apply to suppliers bidding for goods, services and construction projects worth $3 million or more and subcontractors whose contracts are valued at more than $10 million.
Businesses applying for business expansion grants of $500,000 or more from the government will be required to comply with the code.
While the state government said the code will promote job security, workplace equality and diversity for workers, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said it does not support the introduction of the code because it will add “an unnecessary layer of cost and complexity to doing business” in the state.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra said the government’s focus should be on removing barriers to Victorian business growth, not creating more.
“Access to government procurement opportunities and business grants should be determined by compliance with existing employment, industrial and workplace health and safety obligations,” he said.
“While we support business compliance in adherence with existing workplace laws, this new Code contradicts the Government’s stated objective to get more businesses engaged in government procurement and will add unnecessary layers of complexity to Victorian businesses at a time when many are struggling to survive.”
The Victorian Chamber said its concerns include that business compliance with the code may breach confidentiality requirements, supply chain compliance putting small and medium enterprises at a disadvantage, requiring a pre-assessment certificate adding an unnecessary burden, compliance needing to be integrated into existing legislation, policy and codes and compliance negating objective of industry grants.
The Victorian State Government said the code will recognize good employers by “ensuring that only businesses that treat their workers fairly are rewarded with major government contracts or business grants.”
Before the code comes into effect in December, businesses can apply for pre-assessment. To apply for pre-assessment or find out more information about the code visit vic.gov.au/fairjobscode.
