The NSW Government should be an employer of choice, setting the gold standard for pay and conditions, not relying on temporary and outsourced workers, according to the NSW Greens.
A report released today by the NSW Auditor-General has found the State government’s spending on contingent labour has increased from $503 million in 2011-2012 to $1.1 billion in 2015-16.
The Auditor-General’s report also revealed the Department of Industry, Transport for NSW and the Department of Education were not able to demonstrate that the use of contingent labour is the best resourcing strategy to meet their business needs or deliver value for money,
Greens MP and Treasury spokesperson Justin Field said “this new report shows the NSW Government’s rapid move to insecure work arrangements is not only the wrong thing to do for workers, but it has not delivered better services or more value for money for the community.
“At a time when the Treasurer is boasting about this government has forced a large group of employees into insecure work and locked them out of sharing the benefits.
“We know casual and temporary workers have less rights than other workers, fewer entitlements and face the constant threat of being the first to go when budgets are tightened or privatisation takes place. People with insecure work find it harder to build a secure financial future for themselves and their families, despite rising costs of essentials such as housing, education and health care.
“We expect more from the NSW Government as an employer, it should be setting the example by providing quality jobs with fair pay and conditions. This role becomes increasingly important in the face of global economic changes, new casualised work models and growth in insecure work.
“The NSW Government should immediately put the brakes on its excessive use of temporary and outsourced workers and prioritise the creation of secure, permanent employment,” he said.
A full copy of the report is available here:
