Dear Rehctub,

<<Yuyutsu, this is Australia mate and, as it appears all are welcome to come here and share our lucky country>>

Well this was not my experience. I had many friends who wanted to come here as well, but they couldn't because they didn't have the professional skills which Australia wanted at the time.

Nor can you say that about the current refugee situation, but we digress.

<<but, to expect to come here then change OUR WAYS to suit theirs is just wrong.>>

I wasn't asking you to change your ways, but has it never occurred to you that claiming a whole continent just for yourself and your culture, is also wrong?

It's only incidental that the British navy was the strongest in the 18th century. Israel at least, claims (rightly or wrongly) that their land was eternally promised by God - you don't claim even that!

<<There are two choices, come and accept our ways, or don't come.>>

Sorry mate, I'm already here!

When I came, Australia's representatives were too happy to have me (for the economic gain) and while I follow the conditions they've set, assimilating with this or that culture was not one of them.

Had I been told in advance for example, that if I come I must drink beer, watch the footie and gamble on horses, then I wouldn't have come - nevertheless, I weren't ever told anything of the like!

Dear rehctub,

Actually the time I was talking about did involve
working seven days. Public libraries are
open on week-ends, including Sundays - and they
need library staff to provide the necessary services
to the public. Rostered week-ends are part and parcel
of the working week. Just thought you should know.

.....A catch cry of the conservatives is the buzz word "FLEXIBILITY

Paul, people must understand that for things to go up (wages and conditions) in good times, such as those experienced during the recent boom times, due mainly to more demand than supply, when those times have passed (which they have) this same wages and conditions MUST be allowed to come back down again.

Also, when people CHOOSE to work weekends, so they can do other things during week days, why should they be FORCED to work week days and again be FORCED to have weekends off when it doesnt suit them. Especially if their industry can be accommodating to their wants and needs.

That's my definition of flexibility. So what do you see wrong about that?

Yuyutsu,
My beef is with those who harbor hatred within their religion, nothing more.

As for other religions who wish to celebrate days other than our recognized public holidays, tough! The laws were here before they came.

Foxy, my main concern with penalty rates are with hospitality, tourism and to a lesser extent, retail.

Not only are hospitality and tourism faced with penalty rates, they are also large energy users and we all know what energy prices have done.

Retails main problem is extended hours and online shopping, all of which add to addition costs such as PR.

Anyone being expected to work abnormal hours, including shift work should be compensated and I don't have an issue with that.

But when you see small hospitality businesses and tourism operators closing over Easter due to excessive wages, you know you have a problem, because, under Julias IR baby, no worker should have been worse off. That's my beef, as any worker who looses their shift/job has to be worse off.

A worker who loses their penalty rates are worse off. I think if you discriminate against certain industries, it would force a shift. For a lot of the people concerned it would not be viable employment situation.
You could end up employing kids or pensioners, and that i presume would be scratchy wether you could keep them or not. I say it should be up to the states, and not across the board.
Either way you are trying to create an underclass and i say that is not acceptable. I can not see the FWA of condoning such an action.

579, why do you think so many construction workers today are on contract and not on regular full time work.

There are two main reasons in my view, one, it's the only way large companies can clear out the 'dead wood' legally these days, and two, because each project can be evaluated on a case by case basis and, rates of pay and conditions set accordingly, often influenced by employment trends on the day.

What a sad way for many to have to live.

If you are not willing to allow wages and conditions to move (both ways) depending on demand, then you are truly taking the inflexible view. Of cause that's your right, it's also one of the causes of so many jobs today being either casual or contract based.

As for industry bias, some industries, like hospitality need their staff on weekends and are happy for them to have mid week days off, and these arrangement are often suitable to both sides. Julias one size fits all theory is what has caused the pain in the first place. And it will see many employees worse off.

But, again you are entitled to your opinion, somif you're happy to,see workers out if work, all be cause you think they should be paid more on weekends, then that's boardering on sticking your nose in where it doesnt belong as these arrangements won't effect you. But, that's the labor way.

So what so sad about that, they get to do things in their own time or off load some to whoever.
We are talking about real contractors and not a sham contractor where the person is really an employee. Which is illegal.
A weekend is a weekend whatever way you see it. We have to have these rules to protect people from unscrupulous employers.
No job is any less of a job than any other. If you don't trade because you cant make a profit, so be it. How many out there who just break even and trade for the PR. If your not there on weekends you will get bypassed during the week. There's more to business than making a profit.