What does the WorkChoices Bill mean for women?

During the past 12 months we have seen the beginning of a watershed in Australian workplace relations with the introduction of the Workplace Relations Amendment (WorkChoices) Bill 2005. While the exact content and meaning of these legislative changes is unlikely to become clear for some time yet, the initial shape of change is being examined and debated by governments, industry groups, academics, unions and workers and non-workers alike. This chapter will examine many of the issues that are being raised, with particular attention to the changes confronting women and their implications. These include the possibility of declining pay and erosion of working conditions, increased earning inequalities, greater job insecurity and difficulties associated with managing work-life balance and childcare arrangements.5 page(s