Two million Australian workers will be eligible for two weeks’ special “pandemic leave” after the Fair Work Commission fast-tracked changes to their working conditions.
The workers – in industries such as hospitality, clerical, retail and cleaning – will also be able to take their annual leave at half pay during the coronavirus outbreak if they need to.
Other changes will allow employees to work from home if they need to.
The amendments were confirmed by Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter on Thursday.
“These types of changes are absolutely critical,” he said.
“They would have saved tens of thousands of jobs.”
The workplace announcement came after a recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found half of all businesses had already taken a hit from the developing coronavirus outbreak. Many more – 86 per cent of businesses – expected to be affected in coming months.
Mr Porter said the fast-tracking on award amendments was achieved by co-operation between employer and worker groups.
They included the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Industry Group, individual employer associations, individual unions such as the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association.
“There has been the type of change in three weeks inside the award system that you might otherwise wait 30 years to see,” he said.
“The reform has been temporary. It is meant to last for as long as [the coronavirus] crisis lasts. It is critical and, ultimately, it has been incredibly co-operative.”
Mr Porter’s announcement came just after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said childcare would be free for essential workers – in reality, anyone in work – for the next six months.
“If you have a job in this economy, then that is an essential job, in my view,” Mr Morrison said.
“It is important that all of those parents get access to childcare.”
The plan, which will cost $1.6 billion over three months, is aimed at help the country’s 13,000 childcare centres ride out the coronavirus pandemic.
Free childcare will be offered from Sunday night (April 5), regardless of family income.
“We will be ensuring for those parents who are still in that position where they are needing childcare, it will be free,” he said.
“We will be putting in place support arrangements to the childcare facilities, some 13,000 of them, to ensure they remain open and be there for their parents to ensure they can do what they need to do each day.”
Elsewhere, Australia’s death toll from the coronavirus rose again on Thursday.
A woman in her 70s died in a Victorian hospital, becoming the state’s fifth COVID-19 victim, while an 85-year-old man who died in Toowoomba Hospital is Queensland fourth victim.
Mr Morrison also said on Thursday that Australia had taken the global lead in terms of testing people for coronavirus.
The country’s testing rate has risen to more than 1000 tests per 100,000 population, or 1 per cent of the population.
“We are the first country to the best of our knowledge that has been able to exceed that mark,” Mr Morrison said.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the testing regime complemented the “ring of steel” created around Australia through limiting those coming in and putting in place quarantine and isolation procedures for travellers.
The testing had resulted in an average of just below 2 per cent positive results.
-with AAP
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