PMA News: Free workshop program on the new national IR system

In 2010, NSW IR will be running a number of free workshops around the state to assist NSW private sector employers who will be moving into the national system. The program will commence in February and information about the sessions will be available shortly on the NSW IR website.

The Australian Retailers Association's latest survey on the effects of the Fair Work Act has highlighted that nearly three-quarters retailers don?t understand their obligations under the new laws and are wary of the effect it will have on their business.

"Currently, over 54% of retailers have made operational changes to comply with the Fair Work Act but over 83% of retailers need to do more before they are fully compliant. Almost 72% of retailers don?t fully understand their obligations under the Fair Work Act," ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman added that that many retailers are expecting an increase in wage bills as a result of the new laws.

"Of the 40% of retailers who expect to see wage and operational cost increases as a result of new IR laws, over 42% expect these increases to be between 5% and 10%," he said.