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Almost half of workers aged under 30 have been forced to do unpaid overtime, and a quarter have missed out on super payments, according to a new survey that reveals how employers take advantage of younger workers.
Of more than 2,800 early-career workers who answered the survey, roughly a third were paid $15 per hour or less, while 60% were expected to pay for essentials such as uniforms, protective equipment and fuel.
The insecure job market and a lack of knowledge about workers’ rights were key factors behind the exploitation, say researchers John Howe and Tom Dillon.
Since January 1, employers that mistreat workers face heavy penalties. But the authors say their results show regulators need to target industries where exploitation is still rife.
P.S. Thank you to everyone who’s emailed us with your thoughts on our stories. We read every one of your contributions and each day we publish an edited selection in Your Say, down the bottom of this newsletter. You can always reach us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au.
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Margaret Easterbrook
Business Editor
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John Howe, The University of Melbourne; Tom Dillon, The University of Melbourne
Employers who rip off young workers are more likely to be fined or face jail under new laws introduced in January. But a new study finds more needs to be done.
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Louise Chappell, UNSW Sydney
The antisemitism strategy could stoke social divisions due to its reliance on biased arguments, weak evidence and overreach in its recommendations.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
What was meant to be a moment of clarity has turned into another headache for the government with it’s antisemitism envoy’s plan stirring up some controversy.
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John Hawkins, University of Canberra
Unless we are happy to keep government debt, – which is already close to a trillion dollars – growing indefinitely, taxes will need to rise.
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Guido Carim Junior, Griffith University
This tragedy reminds us that aviation safety depends on patient and thorough investigation – not media soundbites or unqualified expert commentary.
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Kate Cantrell, University of Southern Queensland
The Male Complaint argues it’s unhelpful to blame toxic masculinity for digital misogyny. We should try to understand the manosophere – even if we disagree with it.
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Kevin M. Koo, The University of Queensland
Although an elevated PSA measurement can indicate prostate cancer, there can be other reasons for elevated levels.
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Kyle Morrison, UNSW Sydney
Pesticides have polluted waterways worldwide. Understanding the subtle effects of these chemicals on fish behaviour can help guide better policy and regulation.
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Politics + Society
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John Blaxland, Australian National University
The Albanese government is facing a push by the United States for a ‘broad ranging and open ended’ commitment to defend Taiwan against any Chinese aggression.
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Kinda Alsamara, The University of Queensland; Eleanor Gordon, Monash University; Elliot Dolan-Evans, Monash University
Syria now stands at a crossroads. Will it ensure women’s meaningful participation and follow a path to peace? Or will things head in the other direction?
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Health + Medicine
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Christine Mary Hallinan, The University of Melbourne
As more and more people receive medicinal cannabis prescriptions, we’re left with a system that is misaligned with its original purpose.
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Juliette Crowther, George Institute for Global Health; Jacqui Webster, University of Technology Sydney
Two litres of tap water in the regional New South Wales town of Walgett has as much sodium as an entire large bag of sea salt popcorn.
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Science + Technology
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Aaron J. Snoswell, Queensland University of Technology
AI developers have many levers they can use to steer chatbots into certain behaviours.
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Arts + Culture
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Rachel Hughes, The University of Melbourne; Maria Elander, La Trobe University
The World Heritage listing raises timely questions, such as whether we might see nominations for sites from Australia’s own genocidal past.
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Dave Carter, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Jesse Austin-Stewart, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Oli Wilson, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Music and technology have been evolving together since long before the advent of AI. But without better safeguards now, artists face an uncertain future.
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Books + Ideas
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Craig Billingham, UNSW Sydney
How is it that some of us are privileged and many are not? This subject is at the heart of a new collection of poetry.
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(Another) data breach
"All these large, profitable businesses fail to protect my data and somehow that now becomes my responsibility, yet I don’t have their vast corporate resources at my disposal. They send me an email most days, put together by their staff, who are paid for their time. There is no compensation offered for the time they are costing me. Just more emails that take more of my time for their error. If Qantas actually cared, they would have their Australian in charge team ringing me and they would be offering me something to make up for their wrong. The Australian government should implement fines high enough and make good provisions that make cybersecurity a real
priority for corporate Australia."
Name withheld
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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Diabetes Australia
Anywhere
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Temporary
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Charles Darwin University
Darwin NT, Australia
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Full Time
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University of Tasmania
Hobart TAS, Australia
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Full Time
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Children's Medical Research Institute
Sydney NSW, Australia
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PhD Scholarship
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