Students are a valuable labour force for newsagents. Newsagencies have been a valuable learning and income opportunity for students. The Fair Work Act is changing that thanks to the minimum hours provisions.
Consider the case of “Nick”. For three years he has worked three nights a week, after school, for between and hour and a half and two hours. The newsagency was on the way home. He was happy with the work and the award wage he was paid. Now, under the new provisions, he will have to be let go since he cannot be given the minimum hours as the business closes at 6pm and he cannot get there before 4:15pm.
This story is not unique. I have heard from at least twenty-five newsagents of with similar stories, especially in high-street and regional situations. I’d estimate that more than two-thirds of newsagencies employ students for short hours. While it is hard to give a number of students affected without surveying all newsagents, I’d estimate that more than 15,000 students would be affected.
The alternative is for the employment to be off the books. However, that is dangerous.
The government says it has consulted business. Clearly, they did not consult all businesses. Maybe it should consult and work with newsagents and students to protect the current arrangements. They were considered fair before these latest changes were introduced.
Footnote: My newsagencies are not affected since we configured our businesses some years ago to have minimum three hour shifts. It suited us in our locations.
UPDATE (6pm): News Ltd columnist Andrew Bolt picked up on this today at his blog.