The peak body for Australian retailers is calling for a nationwide law allowing for children as young as 13 to take up jobs.
In a bid to sort of labour shortages in shops, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is seeking to make laws regarding child labour uniform around the country.
At present, the laws are handled state-by-state.
“An ideal model would be one where we allow 13- to 15-year-olds to work, with sensible regulations in place around not working during school hours or at times that would impact a young person’s education,” ARA chief Paul Zahra said.
“Agreeing to a national framework on young workers would help mobilise a willing and able cohort of people to help address the staffing shortfall.”
At present there are 40,000 vacancies in the retail sector.
The calls for change will be presented to the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit.
Zahra has also called for dramatic changes to make childcare cheaper, thus mobilising more parents.
Is 13-years-old too young to have a part-time job?
“Australia has the second highest childcare costs in the world – it’s simply unaffordable for many working women and parents, who are turning down employment opportunities to care for their children,” he said.
“Solving childcare in this country isn’t just a social issue – it’s an economic reform that would unleash the potential of return-to-work parents.”
He also called for changes to pension rules so older workers could take on more hours.
“Older Australians can play an important role in addressing the staffing challenge, but they are currently limited in the amount they can earn before their pension payments are impacted,” Zahra said.
“Doubling that amount would be a win all round – providing pensioners with the opportunity to supplement their income if they wish, businesses with access to a willing and capable workforce and creating a more empowered pension group that will be mobilised to work and spend.”
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