FED: In 10 years, no better system for junior pay ACCI

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-1999
FED: In 10 years, no better system for junior pay ACCI

An inquiry has been told that despite 10 years of discussion on paying junior workers for
their skills rather than their age there has been no general replacement scheme proposed.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's REG HAMILTON says no competency-based
alternative has been submitted to the Junior Rates Inquiry which started at the Australian
Industrial Relations Commission in Sydney today.

But the ACTU says employers are trying to turn the junior pay issue into a case of black or
white when a range of alternatives exist.

Legislation permitting teenagers to be paid less than adults expires in 2000 and the
federal government has moved legislation to preserve junior rates.

The commission is inquiring into possible non-discriminatory alternatives.

JOHN STEWART for the state and territory governments says the inquiry is legally bound to
find if rates can be fixed on a discriminatory or non-discriminatory basis.

But ACTU research officer GRANT BELCHAMBER says options include regarding 18-year-olds and
above as adults while paying younger workers on percentage bases of adult wages.

AAP RTV dep/sb/rat/jn

KEYWORD: WAGES (SYDNEY)

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