The ACTU has resisted employer arguments to delay any rise in minimum pay, while it has accepted that the annual wage review timetable should be amended to enable the expert panel to consider national accounts data that is likely to identify the early economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described his government's close consultation with the Opposition in drafting legislation to give effect to the JobKeeper coronavirus wage subsidy program that will be put to Parliament next week, while joining IR Minister Christian Porter in thanking unions for their cooperation in achieving "massive" temporary IR changes.
Lawyers are warning of potential traps if employers rush to change staffing arrangements before the Morrison Government finalises the "small print" on its JobKeeper coronavirus payment.
The ACTU has warned landlords and their representatives that unions will have "no tolerance" of forced evictions or pressure to draw down on retirement savings to pay rent.
The FWC has expedited the hearing of the restaurant industry's bid to vary its award to boost hours and leave flexibility as it shifts to a COVID-19 business model based on takeaways and home delivery.
The Morrison Government has today committed to a "job keeper" wage subsidy scheme that will provide a flat $1500 a fortnight for workers with employers that have suffered a downturn of at least 30% to 50% due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Restaurant employers have applied to the FWC to vary the industry award to provide more flexibility to deal with the coronavirus virus, following on from similar cases involving clerical and hotels awards.
FWC President Iain Ross will this afternoon hear a joint application by the UWU and the Australian Hotels Association to vary the hospitality award 2010 to help businesses to save jobs as the coronavirus crisis bites.
The coronavirus crisis has prompted the Morrison Government to suspend its consultations over further changes to IR laws, including the introduction of criminal penalties for the worst cases of underpayment.
IR Minister Christian Porter told Parliament this afternoon that the Morrison Government has provided $42 million in extra funding to the FWO to boost its information systems as the coronavirus pandemic gathers pace.
