The CFMEU has been campaigning against Sham Contracting in the construction industry.

Sham Contracting robs workers of conditions such as sick pay holiday pay and payment for inclement weather. It enables employers to avoid paying superannuation, workers compensation and other statutory entitlements.

Sham contracting means that responsible employers who pay their workers properly lose work to the crooks. It has broad public policy implications. Billions of dollars of revenue have been lost in the construction industry alone because of the failure to implement effective tax laws to deal with this problem.

CFMEU audits have revealed that this practice is widespread on commonwealth and state government funded projects. In effect, companies which rip off the taxpayer are making profits from projects funded by those Australians who do pay their taxes. In many areas and trades, ABN work is the only work on offer.

The union will continue to take action in the face of this attack on workers and the community. The aim of the CFMEU campaign is to raise awareness amongst workers and employers  and to maximise compliance in the industry by proactively auditing contractors on jobs.

Construction workers are also showing they’re not prepared to have their wages and conditions undermined by sham contracting any longer. Workers have taken action across Australia to support their mates on jobs who are being ripped off.

The CFMEU will stand up for workers who are being pushed on to sham contracts and fight for their entitlements.

If you’ve been forced to take out an ABN or are worried your employment arrangement is not right, check out our Slam the Sham booklet. It’s in English and 8 other languages. Then talk to your CFMEU delegate or Branch organiser. If you know that Sham Contracting is happening on your project, talk to your local Branch of the Union.

We should aim to leave our industry in better shape for future generations - not allow the ‘Race to the Bottom’ to continue and to get worse.