Work Safety Issues
There is a series of major developments occurring in the realm of work safety.
National Harmonization
See here for a summary and understanding of the proposed harmonized laws.
See here for ICA's submission to the draft National OHS laws.
Good/Bad Contracts
We're monitoring contracts in general and promoting good contracts in particular. For example:
One of the worst contracts we've seen
But a positive development from government
Ken Phillips comments
And some interesting discussions
Sham Contract Issues
ICA supports the prevention of sham contracts. We monitor what's happening with them:
Successful FWO prosecution (Dec 2009)
Info from Fair Work Ombudsman (July 2009)
First sham contract prosecution: ICA summary
Business Spectator article
Read the debate
Interesting Economic 'Think' Articles
GFC prompts rethink on economics
Can economists be trusted?
Government debt a giant ponzi scheme?
Predicting the next 100 years.
Origins of the US$
Goldman Sachs grand financial conspiracy theory
What's Happening with Super?
ICA is monitoring super developments, particularly as they affect SMSFs.
Easier Super Admin
Peter Strong submission
Govt super clearing house (through Medicare)
Is Super Safe?
Business Spectator explains attacks on SMSFs
Big super in trouble (USA) Mark I
Big super in trouble (USA) Mark II
USA super funds corruption
Australian Super Review
Profile of Australian super funds
Government review: overview
Government review: 24-page report
History Repeats
Here's an interesting quotation from the history books! Images of the USA today?
'The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be filled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome be bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance'
Cicero---55 BC
ICA Small Business Videos
During 2009, ICA made a series of videos on small business issues. The collection appears below.
Introduction
7m 45s
Click here for video
'Business in Crisis'
5m 24s
Click here for video
Managing relationships when you are in business for yourself
6m 00s
Click here for video
The early years
4m 54s
Click here for video
Basic Business Errors
10m 01s
Click here for video
Managing Debt
7m 04s
Click here for video
Rocket Science
3m 04s
Click here for video
Surviving the Hard Times
5m 17s
Click here for video
Research and Marketing
5m 35s
Click here for video
Crash Without Cash
8m 54s
Click here for video
Building Relationships
ICA Summit 2009
At our very successful Summit on 12 November, we brought together a unique group of presenters from small and big business, government, academia and the research arena. Conference Presentations are here.
... Unquote
Illegal workers/Phoenix companies
Two ICA members' tell their stories
ATO information on reporting suspect activity.
The Pessimists' Economic Views
We've brought together some pessimistic views about economics and likely economic trends in 2010:
Ken Phillips's summary
The Atlantic
Pivot Capital
New York Times
Business Spectator
Wall Street Journal
Investors Insight
Reuters
The Telegraph
New York TImes




























Opinion, Comment and Ideas
July 2009

We've had quite an online discussion recently about the behaviour of the recruitment industry. We've now received information about what some contractors consider to be 'secret commissions' on referrals. There's nothing wrong with commissions if they are disclosed. But just what are the principles that should operate here?

ICA's views on the matter appears below. We offer them in order to generate discussion and comment on the important topics of transparency and disclosure.

Do you have views and comments on this subject? Have you had personal experiences you can share? Send us your contributions and we'll include them on a dedicated discussion page.

E-mail your thoughts to us at: contact@contractworld.com.au.


Recruitment Agencies II: Transparency and Disclosure
(July 2009)

A contentious issue seems to have emerged in the contractor management space regarding contractor management and recruitment companies. It's an issue of transparency involving the contracts of independent contractors who use recruitment agencies.

It is common for a recruitment agent, once they find you a contract, to refer you to a contractor management company to handle the payroll, administration and insurances among other things.

You would normally expect a recruitment agency to make referrals based on what is best for you---the independent contractor and the client. The advice and referral provided should always be independent and unfettered. But in reality this may not always be the case.

Contractors have complained to us that some contractor management companies they have dealt with offer elaborate "kick-backs" to recruiters in return for referrals. These "kick-backs" are believed to include gift vouchers, plasma screen TVs, even an overseas holiday. The contractors have found out about the kickbacks after they have been induced to work through a contract management company.

There's an issue of ethics here. Someone has to wear the cost of the commissions. The question is does this practice result in independent contractors covering the cost through fees? Further, is a recruiter making recommendations the agents are personally rewarded for because they firmly believe it is the best option for you?

There's nothing wrong with commissions. It's often normal practice. The practice of offering incentives in return for business is widespread in society. The question of ethics is raised when such incentives are offered and accepted without a key party in the arrangement knowing about it. Protecting oneself from dubious advice really comes down to having full knowledge. One cannot rely on the probability that all the advice they receive is ethical and accurate.

Independent contractors should be aware of this issue and press recruitment agents for transparency and disclosure. An agent must be able to articulate why a particular recommendation is best suited to your individual requirements. Ask the following questions when a recruitment agent refers you to a contractor management company.
  1. What are the reasons I should be managed by this contractor management company?
  2. Are you getting any referral fee/reward by recommending me to this contractor management company?
  3. If yes to question 2, what kind of referral fee/reward do you receive by referring me to this contractor management company?

Have you had such experiences? What do you think of the practice? Let us know. Contribute to the discussion E-mail your thoughts to us at: contact@contractworld.com.au.