The New South Wales government is this week introducing new laws that will protect transport gig workers and owner drivers.
Alongside modernising the Industrial Relations Act relating to the road transport industry, the legislation follows the federal government’s recent gig worker and owner driver reform.
Following consultation with unions, industry and the community, the NSW government says the laws ensure changes are fit-for-purpose for the modern transport sector.
The law allows transport gig workers to access the same legal protections currently offered to owner driver truckies, couriers and taxi drivers under the NSW Industrial Relations Act.
The decision to reform this act was an election commitment and allows platform companies, employers and unions to apply to the Industrial Relations Commission for binding determinations on workers’ pay and employment conditions.
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Once the changes are made, eligible gig workers in transport will be able to apply to the Commission to have contract determinations or agreements that regulate pay and conditions.
A key function of the changes is to ensure there are enforceable standards across road transport supply chains that make sure everyone can recover their costs.
Consistent with the approach of the Commonwealth government, the existing exemptions for transport of livestock and produce will remain in place.
“This new legislation will enable our Industrial Relations system to be fit for purpose when it comes to gig workers in the transport sector,” NSW industrial relations minister Sophie Cotsis says.
“The public relies on gig workers in the transport industry every day, and workers can rely on us for the same legal protections.
“This is an important step in supporting the thousands of gig workers to ensure they have the same industrial rights to access the industrial relations commission.”
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