FED: Labor and ACTU warn Reith on entitlements scheme

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
FED: Labor and ACTU warn Reith on entitlements scheme

Workplace Relations Minister PETER REITH's been warned not to use an employee entitlement
protection scheme to force industrial relations changes through the Senate.

Mr REITH will release an options paper on the scheme this week, aiming to provide a safety
net for sacked workers following the loss of benefits by miners at Oakdale and Cobar.

He says the proposal will form part of the workplace relations legislation currently being
considered by a Senate committee.

But the federal opposition and the union movement say they'll oppose moves to link
entitlements protection to the new workplace relations legislation.

Meanwhile, the Democrats in the Senate have not ruled out splitting the entitlements
provisions from the other workplace legislation.

AAP RTV msl/mfh/sub/rat

KEYWORD: OAKDALE (CANBERRA)

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