Supporting safe and fair workplaces

Message from the Minister

Tim Pallas, Minister for Industrial Relations

Safe and fair workplaces provide the foundation for social inclusion and economic prosperity in Victoria.

Everyone deserves to work in a job with fair wages and conditions – and any workplace injury is one injury too many.

That’s why the Victorian Government is making sure every employer who does business with the Victorian Government adheres to these principles.

Government buyers are adopting these principles with positive outcomes for employees. Using the spending power of the government to encourage good industrial practices, we are building a safer and fairer Victoria.

The Victorian Government's Supplier Code of Conduct

The Victorian Government's Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all contracts, agreements and purchase orders from 1 July 2017. It outlines minimum ethical standards in behaviour, including in relation to labour and human rights, that suppliers are expected to meet when conducting business with, or on behalf of, the Victorian Government.

The Victorian State Government is committed to ethical, sustainable and socially responsible procurement. All suppliers need to comply with their legal obligations under applicable legislation and regulations, industrial awards and agreements, court and tribunal decisions and contracts of employment.

Case studies

Arts Centre Melbourne only works with suppliers who provide safe and fair workplaces

As a direct result of the implementation of the Social Procurement Framework, Arts Centre Melbourne will only do business with suppliers who provide safe and fair workplaces.

In order to win a tender, the supplier must provide all the relevant ISO, safety and other industry standards that demonstrate it meets the Victorian Government's Supplier Code of Conduct.

This work has been supported by an updated procurement policy, supplier questionnaires and internal training sessions for procurement staff.

Actions like this ensure employers know that providing a safe and fair workplace is not negotiable, and especially if they want to do business with the Victorian Government.

Mandating safe and fair working conditions for suppliers' workforces

Suppliers who work with Lower Murray Water must demonstrate they provide safe and fair working conditions for their workforces.

This means that any supplier engaged under a formal contract of any value must provide a formal letter of commitment to the standards in the Victorian Government's supplier code of conduct.

These standards must be applied to all employees and any subcontractors engaged for the contracted works.

With some of the most disadvantaged areas in Victoria in its service area, this is one way that Lower Murray Water can help to foster fair, ethical and safe workplaces, where workers receive the wages and conditions they are entitled to.

Procurement practices like this help the whole community by providing equal employment opportunities and secure jobs that allow employees to grow and extend their skills.