The Department of Productivity and Labour Relations has a budget of $5.93 million - a rise of almost five per cent - for this financial year.
"The bulk of the increase is for the new Work and Family Unit, which has been set up under the State Government's social Advantage package," Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today.
"The unit aims to help workplaces become more family friendly," she said.
"It will develop strategies and provide funding to help workplaces be more flexible in response to the family pressure faced by employees.
"The initiative is a response to the increasing trend towards families where two parents are in full-time work, which means more and more people are grappling with the problems of combining work and family life.
"DOPLAR's budget has been spread across three major programs: productivity and labour relations; workplace practices; and public sector labour relations.
"The aims of the productivity and labour relations program is to help the Government frame legislation and develop processes which maximise the scope for workplace harmony and productivity."
Mrs Henderson said the State's industrial relations legislation was being amended to facilitate enterprise-based labour relations, reflecting the belief that productivity was best addressed at the individual workplace level.
"Particular attention is being paid to the needs of disadvantaged or minority groups to ensure they are not further disadvantaged because of the increased focus on enterprise," the Minister said.
"Other initiatives include the establishment of a 'One Stop' industrial relations centre in West Perth to give the public improved first-hand information and advice about labour relations issues.
"The Workplaces Practices Program is aimed at ensuring labour relations are being conducted in accordance with awards, industrial legislation and regulations, as well as conducting prosecutions where there are breaches.
"Major plans for the year include the introduction of an integrated telephone advisory service covering both State and Federal awards for the first time, and enhancement of award advice and education programs."
Mrs Henderson said there was attention in this area to the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, with a particular focus on exploitation of young workers in an environment of high unemployment.
"The Public Sector labour relations program was developed to advise and help Government agencies adopt effective, consistent and equitable labour relations practices," she said.
"Initiatives in this area include implementation of enterprise bargaining in the public sector, provision of advice on productivity measures and assistance with workplace change."
Mrs Henderson said she was looking forward to a year of lasting enterprise change, which would provide the basis for a productive and competitive Western Australian economy.
