Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonnne Henderson has slammed the Victorian Government for bringing forward by two months the abolition of workers' awards.
Awards will now be abolished as from January 1, when workers will have to negotiate individual contracts.
Mrs Henderson said the sudden change from the March 1 date followed the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's advice that contracts which undercut award conditions would not be legal.
"So, the Kennett Government blithely gets rid of the awards even sooner, to clear the way for contracts which do not contain the basic working conditions protected by the awards," Mrs Henderson said.
"There can be no clearer indication that the Kennett Government will do anything to reduce workers' pay and conditions," she said.
"It gives the lie to the Liberals trying to pretend that workers' will not sign contracts unless they are better off than under the awards.
"If that were true, they would not be so keen to get rid of the awards."
Mrs Henderson said there had already been startling examples of contracts offered by Victorian employers.
The retail chain Copperart had excluded all penalty and shift loadings, forced staff to move around shops during the day and threatened summary dismissal for 'misconduct' such as 'wasting time loitering in lavatories' and 'abusive language'.
Sunset Homes' contract was equally horrifying, such as requiring employees to work on any day of the week.
"Despite the Liberals' claims that they offer choice, Victorian workers have no choice but to sign or get sacked," Mrs Henderson said.
"The Liberals are clearly displaying their intent to reduce pay and conditions, without any form of basic right contained in awards," she said.
"It is so bad that even en employer organisation in Victoria, the Business Council of Australia, is concerned that more protection is needed for workers.
"But they will not get it under the Kennett Government and workers in Western Australia should understand that this would happen here under a Liberal government."
