December 2002
Welcome to the fifth issue of our newsletter!
Two Rivers is published every three months by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit to provide Aboriginal communities with information, stories and updates on happenings within the world of industrial relations.
New pocket guide for Young Workers
Starting Work? Know your Legal Rights is a pocket sized guide developed jointly by WorkCover and the Department of Industrial Relations to tell young people about their rights at work. The guide provides a ready reference on a range of issues in the workplace, such as, starting work, hours of work and pay, dealing with bullying and violence, dealing with harassment and discrimination, occupational health and safety, and leaving work.
For copies of Starting Work? Know your Legal Rights, call WorkCover on 1800 658 134.
top
Salary cap for unfair dismissal claims
As of 1 July 2002 the new salary cap for unfair dismissal claims is $81,500 per annum.
The salary cap applies to those employees whose work is not covered by an award.
For further information please call 1300 361 968.
top
Moree
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, along with the Anti Discrimination Board, were in Moree during 24 - 26 September to attend the Croc festival and visit a number of workplaces.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit and the Anti-Discrimination Board information stall at the Croc Festival was very popular.
Setting up the stalls at the Croc festival
The Unit also met a number of organisations in the area to provide information, network and answer questions on workplace issues. Some of the organisations we visited included, Roy Thorne House, Piux X Aboriginal Corporation, Moree Secondary College, and the Western Aboriginal Legal Service Limited.
Some of the issues raised by organisations in Moree included:
- appropriate award coverage
- the need for policy and procedure manuals
- developing and implementing codes of conduct
- dismissal policies and processes
- harassment policies and protocols
- need for on going training and support
Left to right: Paul Duncan, Rae Hamilton, Barbara Livet, and Francis Sibraa
Dubbo
In late November the Unit joined the Anti-Discrimination Board, WorkCover, Department of Fair Trading and the Working Women Centre to present an information forum for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community in Dubbo.
The forum provided the Aboriginal community in the Dubbo area and the Central West with a 'one stop' opportunity to meet and discuss workplace issues with Aboriginal advisers from all four Government agencies.
Left to right: Rae Hamilton (DIR), Michelle Fernando (WorkCover), Russell Ryan (Dubbo Elder), Felicity Huntington (Anti Discrimination Board) and Chris Capper (DIR)
Marrambul mali, Wiradjuri for 'Do it Right' covered a range of issues including:
- workplace harassment and discrimination
- workplace safety and workers compensation
- awards and employment laws in NSW; and
- consumer rights and responsibilities
The forum in Dubbo was the first time that this type of format has been used for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The forum was well attended with some people travelling from as far away as Coonamble to find out about their rights and obligations. Already, people who were unable to attend are requesting that the forum be repeated as soon as possible. Participants have also followed up to ask for more detailed advice.
Foreground: Rae in action
Background: Michelle Fernando and Karen Simpson from WorkCover
Cowra and Coffs Harbour
The Unit may be visiting Cowra in January 2003 and Coffs Harbour in February 2003.
If you are in these areas and are interested in having the Unit visit your workplace, or presenting an information session, please call Rae on 1300 361 968.
top
Organisations who currently hold a copy of the Unit's loose leaf workplace reference, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Kit, should receive updated information over December this year.
top
Over the next two issues of Two Rivers we will profile the services provided by other sections of the Department of Industrial Relations.
Industrial Investigators
DIR Industrial Investigators have three main functions, to:
- investigate industrial complaints
- provide employers and employees with information on NSW industrial law; and
- undertake workplace inspections.
Industrial Investigators also play a key role in educating employers through targeted education campaigns, and ensuring that the rights and entitlements of workers are protected.
DIR has Industrial Investigators located in Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Sydney, Parramatta, Bankstown, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Orange.
Each year Industrial Investigators receive and resolve up to 1,000 complaints. Thousands more customers are given assistance either on the phone or over the counter.
As a part of the DIR's ongoing commitment to education and training, Industrial Investigators also conduct hundreds of workplace inspections every year.
Workplace inspections may be the result of an industrial complaint, or they a part of a 'targeting' campaign to investigate industrial compliance in certain industries and locations throughout NSW.
To lodge an industrial complaint
Contact your nearest DIR Contact Centre on telephone 132 005 (cost of a local call).
top
Free Legal advice, information and referral for Indigenous women.
The legal contact line is answered by an Aboriginal Women and advice is given by a solicitor. All information is Confidential
Free call 1800 639 784
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9.30am - 12.30pm 1.30pm-4.30pm
Phone: 131 628
| Award Enquiries
©Office of Industrial Relations, NSW Department of Commerce
