Paul Murphy: Shift Power to Workers in Employment Permit System
Paul Murphy addressed the employment permit system and argued it should shift power toward workers to allow mobility and protect them from exploitative employers. He urged easier employer transfers, questioned a proposed 12-month restriction, and pushed for changes ahead of report stage.
Key points
Murphy said the change would give workers mobility and the ability to walk away from bad or exploitative employers, reward good employers by encouraging staff retention, and prevent a race to the bottom. He stressed the proposal does not fundamentally alter the employment permit system but strengthens the relative position of workers within it.
Objection to 12-month rule
Murphy challenged the 12-month requirement, suggesting it may be excessive. The minister acknowledged the concern, saying 12 months might be too long and that officials should consider a shorter period while keeping some protection for employers.
Minister's response and report stage
The minister said officials have been asked to examine the concerns and to bring proposals at report stage, and that amendments may be tabled to reflect the sentiments expressed. It was noted that some current amendments, such as amendment 33, largely retain the status quo while allowing movement in certain expired cases.
Implementation and IT considerations
The minister indicated changes would require system and IT updates and that an engagement with a new IT system presents an opportunity to implement revisions. Officials have been working on these issues, and the minister committed to returning with recommendations for further consideration at report stage.
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Yeah, I mean, I think the rationale for this is very simple, which is to shift more power to the worker as against the employer gives them mobility, gives them the ability to walk away from a bad exploitative employer and move somewhere else without all of the barriers that currently exist in that it would reward good employers because it would mean people would stay with them as a consequence of being good employers, an incentive for them to be good employers, and it would prevent a race to the bottom. It doesn't fundamentally alter the nature of the employment permit system. Instead, it just strengthens the relative position of the workers within this. I'm interested in hearing the Minister's response. Thank you, Deputy. Deputy Chair. I referenced in my open speech as well, and this is an area that we are prepared to try to see if we can get to a better place, to be honest with you. I think we ought to read the sentiments that you're putting forward. We've had a good discussion here at Pre-Ledge, Second Stage, and with some stakeholders. I've asked our officials to really look at this to see how we can deal with the concerns and sentiments. Is a 12-month right or can we go a little bit less? I think there needs to be some period of time to protect everybody, but maybe 12 months is too excessive, but we're willing to look at that. But also the ability to move from an employer much easier with your permit as well. So the transfer of an employer to a new employee is something that we are prepared to look at. I don't have wardens ready that I can put forward to you here, but I will do it for report stage, and I think we can make some good progress here that will reflect the thinking. I think it's a general reflection we've got from nearly anybody that's contributed to this legislation, so we're going to try and do that, and that's our aim. Officials have been working on it for the last couple of weeks, but we just haven't got it ready, so I think we're on the same page. How far I can bring that, I'll be able to show you with amendments and see what you think. In relation to the one that's put forward on amendment 33, part of that kind of keeps the status quo as it is, because we do try to allow for that. But you're keeping the 12 months, but we do allow for if someone's been expired, there is movement there. Anyway, so I think we're on the same page here. And I will bring back some recommendations at the report stage. I think we'll capture most of your sentiments. Is that all right? And it will involve changing our systems as well to be able to do this in relation to the processing and IT and all that, but we are starting an engagement with a new IT system. So there's a chance to maybe get this right. Is that okay? Yep. So great. Thank you. Hi, Let's go. Bye. So how do you want me to have a specific plan, that's how? See that you guys are hiring! Do NASA M City YouTube account and move in. You can be moving people in. So obviously you guys can work in town. You can be able to do it with that. Do you want me to do anything? If you ask me, you don't have to do it anytime soon. So to do this, maybe I can do it on woodstep approach. So please go ahead with me, give me a video... ...Godly get back on my thing. Victim... ... How do you want me to park your spot? Where you want my car. So what do you want me to do now? Yeah. It's not. So not you.
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