Australian property industry representatives Master Builders Australia (MBA) has urged the government to examine the Fair Work Act, suggesting 46 changes it believes are needed to bring the act into line with the condition on the ground in the building sector.
The act was brought into place in 2009 and established a Fair Work ombudsman to ensure harmonious compliance with the regulations on workplace relations.
Some of its aims include allowing Australians to balance work and life commitments and preventing discrimination or harassment in the workplace.
MBA chief executive Wilheim Harnisch said the body's submissions are based on extensive research and consultation with people working in the industry.
He explained that the broad consensus among sector leaders is that the act has failed in meeting its proposed objectives.
Ultimately the law is unfairly balanced in favour of employees against employers, is too complicated in many places and has created uncertainty about several issues within the industry, the MBA argued.
Posted by Steve Douglas