Greens Support Workers’ Rights to Disconnect Outside of Working Hours During Controversial Industrial Relations Debate
The deal reached today by Labor means that it requires just one more vote to get its workplace relations laws passed.
Labor is making progress in its efforts to pass its contentious industrial relations Bill, called “Closing Loopholes,” and has obtained support from former Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe and the federal Green Party. The party now requires the support of only one crossbench senator.
Ms. Thorpe announced this morning on X (formerly Twitter) that she had successfully negotiated greater protections for casuals, stating that she had been in discussions with the office of Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke over the last few months. However, she did not elaborate on the specific concessions she had secured.
The government needs the vote of one of two crossbench senators, with whom it has been negotiating: David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie.
Senator Lambie Still Opposed, Senator Pocock ‘Getting Closer’
Ms. Lambie has expressed opposition to the “right to disconnect” provisions, arguing that it could create issues for companies requiring employees to work outside normal hours. She also stressed that there are ample protections for workers who feel exploited.
Senator Pocock, however, stated that he was close to agreeing to support the legislation and had discussed making the process of converting casual employees to permanent positions simpler, as well as finding a balance in protections for gig workers that consider flexibility.
Greens Claim the Win
Greens Leader Adam Bandt confirmed that the two parties had reached an agreement on the legislation today, and that his party would support it through the Senate.
Part of a wide-ranging slate of industrial relations reforms, the “right to disconnect” has been particularly contentious for business, with employers expressing concern about its impact on flexible work arrangements.
