The AMWU has welcomed Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s moratorium to halt companies reducing their obligations to workers health and safety laws by moving to the Commonwealth Comcare scheme set up by the Howard Government.

National Secretary Dave Oliver said the AMWU had campaigned vigorously to stop companies escaping their OHS and Workers’ Compensation responsibilities by swapping schemes.

“A moratorium on companies doing this until the results of a review of Comcare by the newly elected Labor Government is an important first step.

“We are hopeful that the review of Comcare will lead to the restoration of all conditions and rights stripped away from the Commonwealth OHS and Compensation system by the Howard Government over the last 2 years and the adoption of best practice conditions outlined in the Union Charter of Workplace rights,” he said.

Despite welcoming the move, the AMWU remains concerned that 7 companies seem to have avoided the moratorium. In the dying hours of the Howard Government, the former Minister Joe Hockey granted them eligibility to apply to move to Comcare.

“Since the scheme is being reviewed, we are of the view that all decisions on new companies should be held off until the review is completed and its recommendations acted upon.”

Mr Oliver said that affected AMWU members employed by those companies were confused by the move that allowed them coverage by Comcare.

“We call on the Labor Government to give all possible effect to their moratorium decision and prevent any and all new companies seeking to enter Comcare,” said Mr Oliver.