Industrial Relations Changes Unethical - Salvo's

IR changes unethical: Salvos

The Salvation Army says the Federal Government's industrial relations (IR) changes are unethical and will exploit Australia's most vulnerable people.

The Salvation Army's John Dalziel says the organisation is used to dealing with desperate people who will sacrifice anything to get a job.

"That's fine when you're 18 or coming from long-term unemployment," he said.

"What happens when they've been in the job for several years and they want to have a family relationship and all of a sudden they're used to having to work every weekend and public holiday?"

Prime Minister John Howard says the most ethical obligation a government has is to give people a chance of gaining a job.

"I don't think you can start talking about ethics in the workplace until you have satisfied yourself that you are providing the unemployed, who are the most vulnerable and the most disadvantaged, the chance of a job," Mr Howard said.

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews agrees the important thing is to get a foot in the door.

"About four in 10 people within a year of getting a job have moved on to another job and so it is very much a starting place," he said.

Mr Andrews says the first ethical principle is to create the conditions under which as many people as possible can be employed.

http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200510/s1484483.htm