Australia: Victoria acts on labour hire industry

The Victorian Government has announced widespread reforms to crack down on the exploitation of workers, including a new licensing scheme for the labour hire industry.

The changes are in response to the Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work, with the government accepting 33 of the report's 35 recommendations.

The overhaul of the industry includes:

Setting up a licensing scheme and developing a code of conduct to regulate labour hire operators
Making it unlawful for employers in regulated industries to use unlicensed labour hire firms
Advocating for national licensing scheme for labour hire operators
Increased OHS requirements and regulation of accommodation standards
Amend the Equal Opportunity Act to ensure it applies to labour hire employees to prevent discrimination

The Parliamentary Inquiry was established by the Victorian Government to examine widespread allegations of exploitation in the labour hire industry.

It found rogue operators underpaying workers, not ensuring proper safety standards, abusing worker visas and undermining the minimum standards of employment.

Work is now underway to implement the government's response and it will include the development of legislation to ensure the appropriate regulation of the labour hire industry.

To read the full Inquiry report and government's response visit the Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work site.