Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins welcomed the Melbourne hearings of the Victorian Inquiry into Labour Hire and Insecure Employment, beginning today.

The inquiry, chaired by Professor Anthony Forsyth, is investigating the links between worker exploitation and labour hire companies, insecure work, sham contracts and the abuse of visas to avoid minimum workplace standards.

Ms Hutchins said that the inquiry was a key election commitment for the Andrews Labor Government, following mounting examples of worker exploitation.

The inquiry has already taken evidence at public hearings in Mildura, Dandenong and Geelong, with further hearings in Shepparton, Melton, Morwell and Ballarat during February and March.

Ms Hutchins urged workers, employers and owners of labour hire agencies to make their voices as heard as part of the inquiry process.

All  hearings are open to the public and anyone wishing to make a statement at a hearing should email the inquiry secretariat on labourhire.inquiry@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Local hearing dates, the terms of reference and more information about the inquiry can be found at www.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/labourhireinquiry

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins

“While most labour hire companies are doing the right thing, sadly we’ve still seen disturbing allegations of worker exploitation. That’s why we made an election commitment to launch this inquiry.”

“We need everyone’s help in examining this issue. Workers, employers, labour hire operators, their families – I urge anyone who has  contribution to make to be a part of the hearings.”