Weekend Wrap 7 November 2021: Farm workers win minimum wage, hospitality demands more migrant workers while 200,000 can‘t get work due to caring responsibilities plus Sticking Together launches

Ben looks at the big win for farm workers this week as up to 130,000 workers will see their wages rise from as low as $3/hr to a minimum of $25.14 an hour.  Despite a second record harvest year in a row and as many as 16,000 jobs needing to be filled the usual corporate agri-business lobbyists are condemning the outcome and suggesting they will appeal.  The Australian Workers Union has said "If you work on a farm and aren't being paid at least $25 an hour someone is stealing your wages."

The hospitality sector is claiming it needs 100,000 temporary migrant workers to meet demand even as it claims a $44Million program from the Victorian government designed to boost demand in hospitality.  The sector is rife with wage theft, super theft, rostering abuses, sexual harassment and awful working conditions.  None of which the Hotels Association is suggesting they will fix before the importation of more easily exploitable temporary migrant workers.

These "labour shortage" claims come as RBA and ABC reports show that 2.2M Australians who want to work do not have the work they need.  More than 200,000 people who want to work can't due to caring responsibilities and a lack of access to appropriate alternative care for their child, elders or family member with a disability.  

The systemic problems are low wages, poor working conditions, lack of support to enter the workforce through the provision of care facilities and services and a quick fix mentality among many in these sectors that have become hooked on easily exploitable temporary migrant workers.

There's also info on the launch of the new children's book by the Victorian Trades Hall Council "Sticking Together", a new track by mr?e & the 4.I.S crew, an update on FriendlyJordies' effective win over Barilaro and Van's in studio appearance on Marcus Paul to talk Alan Jones, Morrison's disgrace and Qanon and On.