The Wire

A report launched today at The Annual Teacher’s Federation conference claims the introduction of AWA’s forcing school aged children to work longer hours for the same pay – something which is having a negative impact on their studies. According to the study, the casualisation of Australia’s workforce which is robbing hospitality and retail workers – the two major employment areas for this age group – of their penalty rates. The research, which was conducted by Randell Pearce of Think:Insight and advice on behalf of the teacherts union, suveyed the concerns of 300 New South Wales school students in years 10, 11 and 12, who are currently employed in casual or part time work. 83% of respondents felt they were being rostered on for sundays and public holidays because they are cheaper to employ, where as others said they missed out on the shifts that best suited their other commitments, because someone younger is cheaper.