The Wire

Australia has 2.3 million casual workers, a figure that increased by 76% from 1990-2003. The Howard government has maintained that the shift to casual employment is a win-win situation for employees and employers because it allows for flexible employment conditions that aren’t possible with permanent employees. A new report, “Only a casual…” challenges the assertion that all casual employees are happy with their employment by speaking with casuals and analysing their situations. The report states that many experience financial hardship as a result of their employment situation. David Bell, CEO of the Australian Bankers’ Association denies that banks discriminate against casual employees when they apply for loans and describes how banks deal with casual employees in practice. One of the reports authors, Barbara Pocock, Associate Professor of Social Science at the University of Adelaide says there are a range of difficulties casual employees face.