Qantas Must Compensate Workers for Illegal Outsourcing

Qantas Airways has been ordered by Australia's Federal Court to compensate nearly 1,700 baggage handlers who were illegally outsourced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This ruling follows a previous High Court decision affirming the illegality of Qantas' actions under the Fair Work Act, which aimed to prevent employees from exercising industrial rights. The court has set a precedent with three test cases, awarding non-economic losses of A$30,000, A$40,000, and A$100,000, and mandated mediation between Qantas and the Transport Workers Union to expedite further compensation. The total payout could exceed A$85 million, with Qantas criticized for the high legal costs and delays in resolving the case. The compensation will cover economic and non-economic losses, with economic compensation limited to twelve months after the outsourcing decision. The court's ruling aims to address the psychological distress and economic hardships faced by the workers.