SYDNEY, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Australia's Labor government will introduce legislation to close "loopholes" in workplace law, a move opposed by employer groups fearing higher costs, when parliament returns on Monday.
Workplace Minister Tony Burke said on Sunday he would introduce the bill making it a criminal offence to deliberately underpay workers, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of A$7.8 million ($5.0 million).
Penalties would not apply to employers who make honest mistakes, Burke said in a statement.
Burke said in a speech last week that in addition to criminalising "wage theft", the bill would make it easier for casual workers to gain permanent roles, scrutinise the use of labour hire firms to undercut minimum pay rates, and introduce minimum standards for "gig economy" workers, including in food delivery and rideshare apps.
($1 = 1.5504 Australian dollars)Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Tony Burke, Burke, Jennifer Westacott, Kirsty Needham, William Mallard
Organizations:
Australia's Labor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Business, of Australia, Sky News, Australian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Thomson