News Release

SA UNIONS WELCOMES WORK LAWS INQUIRY

27 March 2007

SA Unions has welcomed a state government decision to order an inquiry into the impact of the federal government's work laws.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the inquiry will document the struggles workers have faced during the first year of the unfair IR regime.

"This is a much needed opportunity for workers to relate their experiences."

"We know that people have been suffering enormously as a result of these laws - but because of the very nature of the laws most have been powerless to do anything about it."

"This then is their chance to tell their story."

"SA Unions believes this will be valuable evidence demonstrating the flaws of the law, and hopefully a catalyst for change", Ms Giles says.

The stage government has asked the Industrial Relations Commission of SA to conduct the inquiry.

"We are pleased that the Commission has been chosen for this task as its impartiality and independence will give the findings added weight", Ms Giles says.

"We are particularly pleased that the state government cares enough about its workers and the state's economic prosperity to make this assessment.  We are committed to working with the government to try to minimise the impact of these dreadful laws on our state", she says.