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FWO PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) Sandra Parker has announced the regulator’s strategic priorities for the year ahead. “Our compliance and enforcement work will be informed by the dramatically changed economic conditions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the temporary amendments to the Fair Work Act,” she said. She adds that regulating Australian workplaces significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic requires a degree of flexibility in its approach. “Some of our priority sectors have been seriously impacted by the pandemic and are under considerable financial strain,” Ms Parker said. “We’re mindful that our regulatory efforts don’t negatively affect already struggling industries, while also being sensitive to the nuances of each sector and the challenges each will face when recovering from disruption.” The FWO agency, she says, will enforce workplace laws in a proportionate manner during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the compliance and enforcement policy has been updated to reflect this. “Due to the impact of COVID-19 on Australian workplaces, the number of employers and employees seeking our assistance has grown significantly,” she said. “In response, we’ve adjusted our services and prioritised allegations of serious non-compliance with workplace laws, including in relation to the JobKeeper scheme. “A business’s financial position and viability will be considered when deciding whether to commence litigation for serious non-compliance or determining the size of any contrition payment included in any enforceable undertaking.” Underpayments of staff in the corporate sector have also become a “significant issue” of public concern and will continue to be a priority for the FWO in 2020-21. “More than 60 businesses have come forward to self-disclose workplace law breaches with a total of half a billion dollars owed to workers – and that’s just what we know about,” Ms Parker said. “Earlier this year I wrote to the CEOs and boards of the top listed companies across Australia, calling for immediate action to assure themselves, their shareholders, workers and the community that their companies are meeting lawful obligations under the Fair Work Act. “Large organisations need to place a much higher priority on rigorously reviewing workplace relations systems to ensure that paying workers what they are entitled to becomes the norm.” The policy has also been updated to reflect the FWO’s approach to self- reported non-compliance, including the circumstances that require self- disclosure and information that should be provided. “Companies will benefit from early engagement and cooperation with the Fair Work Ombudsman, and we’ll take account of their financial circumstances in considering our response,” Ms Parker said. She says the agency will provide education, advice, tools and resources to small business and those hardest hit by COVID-19. The regulator will also uphold the integrity of the JobKeeper scheme through appropriate compliance activities that resolve matters quickly and efficiently. NEWS BUY AUSSIE NOW WITH NEW ONLINE PLATFORM Buy Aussie Now, claimed to be Australia’s first marketplace for Australian made goods by Australian owned businesses, launched in mid-July. Starting as an Instagram page in mid-March as the nation prepared for the pandemic shutdown, Buy Aussie Now is “expected to be the online destination for Australians to shop Australian”. To date, it’s said that more than 2000 small and medium-sized businesses have already registered through the Buy Aussie Now website across eight launch categories: home and living, toys and education, apparel and footwear, jewellery and accessories, food and beverage, pets, skin care and beauty, and gifts, while additional categories will be unveiled in coming months. Founder and Managing Director Mitch Catlin says he is thrilled to be bringing this “Australian first” concept to market. “My business, like many other Aussies, was hit badly in late March when the marketing sector pretty much came to a standstill,” he said. “I turned to creating a community of other businesses that were stressed and anxious, and I was just so overwhelmed with the number of Aussies who needed help and mateship during a tough time. Thousands of people were, and still are, worried for their livelihoods. This is how Buy Aussie Now was born. “I think the thing that surprised me most over the past few months is just how much wonderful product is made at home, but many of us simply don’t know about it. They do now! Buy Aussie Now will be the one-stop shop that Aussies can trust to buy Australian.” The Buy Aussie Now platform is free for businesses to upload and promote their products to a wider Australian (and potentially overseas) audience. Australian businesses that list are charged only when they make a sale, with a transaction fee of up to eight per cent, plus payment processing. However, all non-for- profits in Australia, along with any indigenous owned businesses, will not be charged. AUG, 2020 RETAIL WORLD 13