"... no valid argument can be mounted that, without prescriptive regulations, employers as a group would force wages down or impose “unfair” conditions on their employees."

What kind of fairy land is the author of this article living in? There is a significant portion of the workforce who only have their current pay and conditions because of regulation. Remove the regulation and the already existing downward forces will cause a decrease in pay and conditions.

What makes the situation worse, is that these workers are the most likely to lack the negation skills, market knowledge and financial stability to be in position to have any effective input into an agreement. Leaving individual employees to negotiate by themselves will lead to many hard working and productive employees, who lack 'business' skills being paid well under below their worth. Forcing (through employment market signals) employees to become highly business savvy and keep up to date with their market knowledge will shift significant resources away from training in core productivity skills, reducing real productivity and damaging the economy.

A further point is that 'market value' does not represent 'fair value' in the labour market. It can be reasonably argued that the supply and demand economics of low skill labour results in a low wage when compared to the market value of the goods or services produced. Why should businesses gain a disproportionate portion of the money?

Simply put, a free market is not an appropriate mechanism to govern the wages and conditions of low skilled labour. While it's certainly undeniable that unions have had some significant negative impacts, it seems increasingly common to not acknowledge the many positive impacts they've had as well. What's need is a balanced system, not more extremism such as what is proposed in this article.

Ah yes, another tirade from the Anti-Marx himself Des Moore, an economically libertarian stalwart of the highest order.

It's rather interesting listening to his various pieces, extolling the virtues of a completely deregulated trade market.
It's just a shame that like socialism, his dream of a pure economic system is a dangerous fantasy that's apt to destroy lives if taken too seriously.

Desipis, you took the words right out of my mouth. I don't know what parallel universe the author is working in but it sure isn't the one in which the low paid workers live. Most of the workers with low skills have to take what they are offered, or else. The same probably goes for the over fifty's who have the skills but have no industrial muscle.

Get real Mate.

Is this guy just a Liberal stooge?

Not been a worker, only an old cockie, but with this work choices, can see who's really got the choice, the one that holds the big end of the stick.

It's back to the old days, like skippers when big storms blew up, came out with, have faith in me my hearties.

Well without any non-partisan lawful arbitration, what else could it be?

I have seen first hand how a Pty Ltd company can, and has exploited the IR legislation to benefit financialy at a workers expence.
I worked as a casual driver (HR Truck). The casual award rate being $15.26 per hour plus 25% loading = $19.08 per hour for 7.6 hours per day. I was compelled to work up to 15 hours per day without taking a meal break. For this I was paid a gross hourly rate of $18 per hour without penalty rates for over time. I was not paid any superannuation
which is required by law. I made enquires to the WorkPlace Ombudsman who refered me to contact the office of workplace complaints. I contacted the Office of Workplace complaints seeking their assistance.
Unlike the advertisement campaign as seen on tv they were not interested in an individual case. Workplaces suggested I negotiate with my employer which I did, this only led to my being terminated. I again contacted the Workplace Office and Ombudsman to no avail.
I have perused the Transport Workers Award 1996 and the WorkChoices Legislation which they currently alledge to adhere to, yet they do the opposite and refused to investigate my complaint.
This is John Howards IR Legislation, which only proves to me it was introduced to hurt the vast population of workers.