❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about a market research firm's employee compensation, specifically regarding award rates and potential underpayment, prompting a response outlining the relevant legislation and potential recourse.
AnsweredQoN 429Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
My question relates to the Government’s outsourcing of market research. (1) Can the minister confirm that the market research firm Social Data Services has been contracted to undertake market research for the WA Government? (2) What process is in place to ensure that contractors such as Social Data pay award rates to their employees? (3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the market research firm Social Data Services has been contracted to undertake market research for the WA Government? (2) What process is in place to ensure that contractors such as Social Data pay award rates to their employees? (3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(2) What process is in place to ensure that contractors such as Social Data pay award rates to their employees? (3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the market research firm Social Data Services has been contracted to undertake market research for the WA Government? (2) What process is in place to ensure that contractors such as Social Data pay award rates to their employees? (3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(2) What process is in place to ensure that contractors such as Social Data pay award rates to their employees? (3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(3) What action would the minister take if Social Data were found to be paying below the award rate? (4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(4) What recompense could the employees who have been underpaid receive? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection has provided the following response - (1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(1) Market research for the WA Government falls outside the scope of the consumer and employment protection portfolio. Questions of this nature should be directed to the Premier. Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon Dee Margetts: They will be. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister should proceed. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: The answer continues - (2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(2) It is unlikely that Social Data Services or its employees would be covered by an award as the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection is advised there is no state award for market research workers, and Social Data is not a respondent to a federal award. The Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 would therefore underpin their employment. (3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(3) If a complaint were made that Social Data was paying below minimum conditions, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection would investigate and take appropriate action. (4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
(4) Should employees be underpaid their minimum entitlements, they can seek recovery of their entitlements either themselves through the Industrial Magistrates Court or by lodging a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, which would investigate and, if necessary, prosecute for recovery of any underpayments.
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