NSW: NSW govt advice line has 15,000 calls from worried workers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2006
NSW: NSW govt advice line has 15,000 calls from worried workers

(Eds: Embargoed until 0001 Sunday, April 23)



SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - A man who was told he would be sacked if he took time off work
to attend the birth of his child is among 15,000 callers to a NSW government hotline in
the wake of the federal government's workplace reforms.

The Fair Go Advisory Service, open for just four weeks, had primarily received calls
from workers who had lost entitlements, NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca
said.

"A number of those calling had been dismissed without notice or explanation, and many
more were facing the sack if they complained about contracts that stripped away award
wages," Mr Della Bosca said.

"We are doing all we can under NSW laws to protect and support workers but it's clear
Work Choices has made it (a) free-for-all for many unscrupulous employers."

The advice line is a hotline for information on current awards and a checklist of issues
to consider before signing Australian Workplace Agreements.

AAP ved/cjh/sd

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE NSW (EMBARGOED)

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