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Details: Apr 09, 2020; Hits: 808

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has also announced a proposal to vary the award to include a provision for 'unpaid pandemic leave', which would include:

The right for employees to take two weeks of “unpaid pandemic leave”; and
The capacity for employer and employee to agree for the employee to take twice as much annual leave at half pay.

“Unpaid Pandemic Leave” would be available where the employee cannot work due to measures taken by government in response to COVID-19, such as the requirement to self-isolate. The employer may require the employee to give evidence to confirm the need to take the leave. It’s not clear what form the evidence would take.

The provision will only be effective during the pandemic. The leave will be available to all employees, including casuals. A 'double leave at half pay' situation would be available by agreement.

Source: APAL

Details: Apr 09, 2020; Hits: 828

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture have announced the extension of visas for critical agricultural workers, following calls from industry.

Key details of this announcement are:

Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme workers can extend their stay for up to 12 months to work for approved employers (ensuring pastoral care and accommodation needs of workers are met to minimise health risks to visa holders and the community).
Approved employers under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme will need to continue engaging with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment on labour market testing to ensure recruitment of Australians first.
Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) who work in agriculture or food processing will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.
Conditions will be placed upon visa holders to self-isolate for 14 days before taking up employment in a different region (including termination of visas where there is non-compliance).
To support implementation of self-isolation arrangements for visa holders and avoid spread of COVID-19 the government is working with states and territories on enforcement and sanction mechanisms.
Employers will need to commit to providing safe accommodation for agricultural workers that complies with social distancing requirements.

Arrangement will also need to be in place for a declaration between employers and employees that all protocols necessary to ensure human health and accommodation requirements have been met.

View the joint Media Release here...

Details: Apr 07, 2020; Hits: 836

NFF Guide Cover

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Workplace Guide contains basic advice on managing the impact on farming workplaces, including relevant work health and safety and industrial relations considerations.

The Guide is intended to facilitate thinking and decision making about the health and safety of people on farm, including family and workers, and ongoing job and business security and continuity.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Guide is only intended to provide high level guidance and assistance of a very general nature. Click here to view.

Details: Mar 31, 2020; Hits: 888

coronavirus covid 19 keeping your distance

There has been a lot of calls from growers seeking safety and hygiene posters in different languages that can be displayed in around the orchard to assist with dealing with the COVID-19 situation. Please see the below resources that may assist: