Mr STIRLING - 2000-10-12
Last week it was announced that 32 young Territorian apprentices lost their jobs with the company Construction Industry Skills because of the severe downturn in local construction industry. Thirty-two young apprentices were told their contracts would be transferred to another company. The new employer, Building Skills Pty Ltd, has demanded they each sign Australian Workplace Agreements that strip away many of their basic employment rights. If they do not sign they do not get the job. Do you think it is acceptable that these young apprentices are now being forced to sign AWA contracts which make them pay for their own training, their tools, all their safety equipment and strips away many of their basic entitlements that they held previously? What do you intend to do about it?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the plight of any young apprentice within the Territory, or any Territorian for instance who is in a situation like that, is of serious concern to me. In fact I pay tribute at this stage to the actions of the construction industry, knowing they are in a bit of downturn at the moment, to look after these young people. I am aware that most of these young people have found alternative employment under a new arrangement within the construction industry, and under a training company. I am pleased to say that my department NTETA has provided some assistance to make sure this has occurred. I am not aware of the detail of their particular arrangements and I will look into that.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the plight of any young apprentice within the Territory, or any Territorian for instance who is in a situation like that, is of serious concern to me. In fact I pay tribute at this stage to the actions of the construction industry, knowing they are in a bit of downturn at the moment, to look after these young people. I am aware that most of these young people have found alternative employment under a new arrangement within the construction industry, and under a training company. I am pleased to say that my department NTETA has provided some assistance to make sure this has occurred. I am not aware of the detail of their particular arrangements and I will look into that.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016