Regulator Asks Young Nt Workers - Are You Missing Out

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12th February 2010, 11:00am - Views: 894





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Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 





Media Release





    12 Feb 2010


Regulator asks young workers - are you missing out?


University students are being urged by the Fair Work Ombudsman to know their

workplace rights to ensure they’re not missing out on money in their pay packet.


Fair Work inspectors will visit students at Charles Darwin University as a part of

O-Week activities to answer young workers’ questions and provide information

about their workplace rights and responsibilities.


Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says that knowledge is the best defence

for young workers against being unwittingly taken advantage of.


“Money can be tight when you’re a student, so it’s important to make sure you’re

not missing out on pay and entitlements. Even one or two dollars less in your

hourly rate of pay can make a difference,” he said.


Mr Wilson says that all students should visit the O-week stalls, especially

international students who are new to Australia and may not know their

workplace rights and obligations. 

 

“Students, especially those who are living in Australia for the first time, can be

vulnerable to exploitation as they are often unaware of their right to minimum

wage conditions, penalty rates and leave entitlements,” Mr Wilson said. 


Mr Wilson says young workers need to be aware that they should receive a

payslip, that unpaid work trials are generally against the law and having money

deducted from your wages if the cash register is short or customers have

damaged stock is illegal. 


“Students can visit – www.fairwork.gov.au/youngworkers - or chat online with a

Fair Work Adviser for information and advice,” he said.


The Fair Work Ombudsman will visit 16 universities across Australia during O-

Week to raise awareness among students of their workplace rights.


In the NT, the Fair Work Ombudsman will be on campus at the following

university:



24 February – Charles Darwin University (Darwin campus)  


In January last year, more than 1700 young people were back-paid a total of

$634,000 after a national audit campaign by the Ombudsman found they had

been short-changed at work.


For more information students can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free

information and advice. 


Media inquiries: 

Craig Bildstien, 0419 818 484. craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au

Ryan Pedler, (03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au 






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