Jobs data shows employers must do more to quell rise in unemployment 09 July, 2009 | Media Release Today’s labour force data showing another 22,000 people lost their full-time job last month underlines the need for employers to pull out all stops to protect jobs, say unions. Employers were this week delivered the windfall of a minimum wage freeze, and now have no more excuses not to prevent job losses, said ACTU President Sharan Burrow. Ms Burrow said the Fair Pay Commission’s unjust decision to freeze the wages of 1.3 million low paid workers had put the onus firmly onto employers to match the contributions their staff are making to the nation’s economic recovery. “Low paid workers are being made to sacrifice real wages over the next 12 months and will struggle to meet their costs of living as a result,” Ms Burrow said. “Employers have a responsibility to do more. They should start by cutting excessive executive salaries and stop sending local jobs offshore. “Reports today of moves by the ANZ Bank to axe another 248 jobs on top of the offshoring of several thousand to India is an appalling example of unethical business behaviour.” Ms Burrow said in the past month the homes and other assets of another 22,000 working families had been put at risk through no fault of their own. “While we want employers to do more to protect jobs we also need to begin talking about what can be done to support workers and protect their assets when they lose their job,” Ms Burrow said. “It is time for a national debate about a new deal for job security and income protection. “Unions are working with companies to figure out ways to prevent job losses. Where that is not possible, unions are seeking a better scheme to guarantee workers entitlements. “We also need a scheme to compensate workers for their loss of income while keeping them in training for when the economy recovers. “In some other countries, such as Germany, Denmark and South Korea, the government provides compensation for up to 90% of income loss for up to four years. “Currently, without such a scheme in Australia, a tradesperson earning $1200 a week in ordinary and overtime earnings can suddenly find themselves and their family struggling to live on an unemployment benefit of just $225 a week.” Ms Burrow said employment must be the benchmark of the economic recovery. Contact Details Mark Phillips Ph: 0422 009 011