Businesses wary that the amendment will be 'rammed through Parliament'
Businesses across Australia are calling on the government to publicly release the draft of the "right to disconnect" amendment amid fears that it would be passed without further consultation.
The calls came after Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke on Wednesday discreetly circulated to key crossbenchers a draft of the amendment amid pressure to include it in the second Closing Loopholes Bill, the Australian Financial Review reported.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) demanded the public release of the draft so businesses can look into it.
"If the plan is to append it to the legislation going into the Senate next week, I think it would need more scrutiny than that," ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar said as quoted by the AFR.
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) also called the amendment's introduction a "surprise change."
"We are disappointed to see the government try to introduce the 'Right to Disconnect' amendment at the eleventh hour with no consultation and no detail on what it will entail, and we fear it will be rammed through the Parliament next week," said BCA chief executive Bran Black in a statement.
"The Fair Work Commission has just issued a discussion paper on this matter for consultation, and we would encourage the government to allow that process to be undertaken before proposing any changes to the Fair Work Act."
Last year, Burke has expressed that he was "really attracted" to the concept of right to disconnect, but noted that they have yet to make a final decision over it.
Second Closing Loopholes Bill
The second part of the Closing Loopholes Bill is set to be debated on this month, which is expected to majorly impact casual employees.
But the BCA said the changes will likely result to less flexibility and fewer jobs for casual workers across Australia.
"We remain opposed to the legislation, however we are continuing to raise our concerns directly with the government, Opposition, and crossbench senators and seek substantial changes," Black said.
Businesses have long been opposed to the reforms introduced by the government in the past months. The BCA expressed its gratitude to the Opposition and Senate crossbenchers for expressing their dissent to the bill.
"We appreciate the crossbench and Opposition for taking the time to consult and for hearing our concerns and putting forward sensible changes, which we encourage all senators to adopt, and there's no question that the Government has time to turn this around."