Last night I called upon Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinta Allan to improve training opportunities for textile workers - and more particularly outworkers - in Parliament's adjournment debate.
In 2003 the Bracks Government passed the Outworkers (Improved Protection Act) which increases the entitlements of outworkers and provides a simple low-cost process to recover money owing. The Act also gives outworkers more rights such as:
- Long Service Leave
- Paid Public Holidays
- Occupational Health and Safety
The speech is over the fold.
Mr CARLI (Brunswick) — I wish to raise a matter for the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs. A few weeks ago I was with the Minister for Industrial Relations at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Brunswick, where there was a handing out of certificates to outworkers who were being trained to become pattern makers in the clothing industry. Basically the course gave outworkers more skills to work in the industry. The course was supported by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union, employers, RMIT and the Victorian government. I ask the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs to fund further courses for outworkers to ensure they have extra skills so they are available to work as skilled labour in the clothing industry in Melbourne.
An important commitment of this government is to improve the conditions of clothing outworkers. The ones I met at the course were Vietnamese. Many of them had been skilled clothing workers and tailors in Vietnam, and after coming to Australia had largely worked as outworkers. They now have new protections that were introduced by the Bracks Labor government to protect their working conditions. As part of a one off pilot scheme with one off funding, the government looked at trying to give them new skills in the industry so they could have better paying jobs and conditions and meet a skill shortage in the industry.
This is a very good example of government, unions and employers working collaboratively on behalf of an industry. I really want the minister to further fund these courses to ensure we see improved skills amongst these workers and a recognition of those skills. Clearly they are highly skilled already, but we want improved recognition and a new element in the trade. It turns out that there is a shortage of pattern cutters and designers in the industry.
Basically the course was a great opportunity to take some workers, give them some extra skills, improve their conditions and meet the demands of industry. It was a win win situation.
I ask the minister to look very carefully at the pilot scheme that occurred at RMIT in Brunswick and consider allocating further funding to ensure we can provide more skilled workers.
Mr Wynne interjected.
Mr CARLI — At the old textile college. The member for Richmond would remember the battles to get it to Brunswick. It is working brilliantly, and it is providing good opportunities for outworkers.
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