FarmSTAND’s Post

Major legal changes are on the horizon, and it's crucial to stay informed. In our latest blog, we break down the upcoming shifts in employment and immigration laws that will impact businesses and visa applicants alike. We run-through: ➡️ New rights for carers, flexible working and pregnant staff ➡️ Regulations on tipping, working hours and harassment prevention ➡️ Increased salary thresholds for Skilled Worker and Spouse/Partner visas ➡️ Adjustments to the Shortage Occupation List Wondering how to prepare for these changes? Our blog provides practical tips for employers to update policies, handle requests and ensure compliance. Read here: https://loom.ly/Y5F7BqU #uklawchanges #immigrationpolicies #employmentlaw #employmentlawupdates #legalsupport #tannlawsolicitors #uksolicitors #legaltips #legaladvice #lawfirm #coventrysolicitors #leamingtonspasolicitors #birminghamsolicitors #warwickshiresolicitors #westmidlandssolicitors #tannlaw

“Time and time again in our work we see migrant workers struggle with the small claims processes, or choose not to make claims at all because they are too daunted by the legal system. These are the clients that silently suffer underpayments and maltreatment when they are already facing the challenge of trying to build a life in a new and unfamiliar country. Legal proceedings are daunting, difficult, and costly for everyone. For a migrant worker who is unfamiliar with Australian laws, the English language, and may be facing significant disadvantage in other aspects of their life, legal proceedings are near impossible. Despite evidence that migrant worker exploitation and underpayment is rife, this important Report by the Migrant Justice Institute clearly shows how the legal system is failing migrant workers, and outlines what the Federal government needs to do. The legal system should not, and cannot, be another enabler of migrant worker exploitation, where it should be preventing and rectifying the issue” - Imogen Tatam, Senior Lawyer (Law Reform), Circle Green Community Legal.

Our latest report – All Work, No Pay – finds that it is virtually impossible for underpaid migrant workers to claim their wages in court. Federal labour laws are illusory for these workers because they can’t enforce their rights in practice. Today’s report explains why migrants can’t use the “small claims” process to recover unpaid wages, and sets out a blueprint outlining what the government can, and must, do to fix this problem -- supported by a coalition of 24 leading legal service providers and organisations across the country.  We recommend three key sets of reforms. First, free and affordable legal services must be more widely available, including: 💡 A new free wages and superannuation calculation service  💡 Shifting costs so a worker who brings a successful claim can recover their legal expenses from the employer  💡 Increasing funding for community-based legal services and a new duty lawyer service to assist self-represented litigants in court.    Second, wage claim processes should be simplified, including: 💡 Creating a new jurisdiction to resolve wage claims within the Fair Work Commission, a more user-friendly forum than a court, potentially sitting alongside a new Fair Work Court in a streamlined process  💡 Increasing accessibility of the court processes, including simplifying forms and rules of service, with stronger case management support.    Third, all workers should be guaranteed payment when they obtain a court order against their employer, including: 💡 Establishing a new government guarantee scheme to pay workers their wage judgement if their employer disappears or refuses to pay  💡 Extending the Fair Entitlements Guarantee to all workers in Australia when their employer liquidates, regardless of immigration status.      Endorsed by AMES Australia Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) (ACAN) Be Slavery Free Australia Circle Green Community Legal Eastern Community Legal Centre Human Rights Law Centre Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) JobWatch Justice Connect Marrickville Legal Centre Migrant Workers Centre Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner Redfern Legal Centre RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre Settlement Council of Australia Gai Walker SCALES community legal Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart South-East Monash Legal Service Uniting Church in Australia - Synod of Victoria and Tasmania University of Technology Sydney Student Legal Service University of Newcastle Legal Service UMSU - University of Melbourne Student Union Legal Service WEstjustice Youth Law Australia 

Great to see this report released which highlights the underpayment of migrant workers & the barriers to addressing this. The report calls for increased legal assistance, simpler, more flexible decision making processes & access to financial support where an employer disappears, is liquidated or refuses to pay.

SMLS is one of many organisations endorsing this latest Migrant Justice Institute Report – All Work, No Pay. The Report finds that it is virtually impossible for underpaid migrant workers to claim their wages in court. We know migrant workers already face enormous barriers and obstacles so complicated legal steps only make matters worse when unable to recover unpaid wages. The Report makes it clear that federal labour laws are an illusory for these workers who cannot enforce their rights in practice. The report offers key recommendations and a blueprint for what government can and must do. The Report also highlights the issue of CLCs and services like SMLS have in that we struggle to meet current demand without dedicated funding streams noting any available appointments we can offer for employment law matters usually book out the day they become available to clients. See Migrant Justice Institute for more information on the Report and their excellent work to achieve fair treatment and access to justice for migrant workers. We hope to hear more from the government soon on strengthened protections for migrant workers.

It will be interesting to follow this case!

Effective January 4, 2024, private employers must provide employees with a "workers' bill of rights," outlining the protections under federal, state, and local laws for all employees regardless of immigration status. Employers should review NYC Local Law No. 161 to ensure compliance. #EmploymentLaw #Employers #WorkersRights #slotnicklaw #slotnick

Effective January 4, 2024, private employers must provide employees with a "workers' bill of rights," outlining the protections under federal, state, and local laws for all employees regardless of immigration status. Employers should review NYC Local Law No. 161 to ensure compliance. #EmploymentLaw #Employers #WorkersRights”

📜 New Insights on Gibraltar's Employment Law In the ever-evolving landscape of employment regulations, staying updated is key for both employers and employees, especially in unique environments like Gibraltar. We're excited to share our latest blog post, offering an in-depth look at Gibraltar's employment law. This guide provides valuable information on contractual obligations, employee rights, and the intricacies of legal compliance within Gibraltar’s employment sector. Whether you're managing a team, starting a new role, or simply keen to stay informed about the local employment laws, this article is an essential read. It sheds light on critical aspects such as working conditions, termination procedures, and the legal nuances following Brexit. For those seeking to navigate Gibraltar's employment landscape with confidence and legal acuity, our blog serves as an informative resource. ➡️ Explore the full article here: https://bit.ly/3RD0LQA #EmploymentLaw #Gibraltar #LegalExpertise #ProfessionalDevelopment

Absolutely great news for so many people! The Ministers for Justice and Enterprise, Trade and Employment have announced that eligible spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders, who have applied for, and have been granted family reunification, in accordance with the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, will now be registered on a Stamp 1G permission, rather than a Stamp 3. This will allow the holder to take up employment, without the need to obtain a separate Employment Permit, of their own. In addition to this announcement, spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on a Hosting Agreement currently on a Stamp 3 are also now eligible for a Stamp 1G. In addition to this announcement, spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on a Hosting Agreement currently on a Stamp 3 are also now eligible for a Stamp 1G.