January 1st brings a clear warning for employers caught deliberately underpaying their staff, with potential criminal charges that could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine three times the amount of underpaid wages.
Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt emphasized that workers who are found guilty of stealing from their employers could face criminal charges, while underpaying staff will no longer be considered a crime starting tomorrow.
He explained that the government decided to change the law to create a more equitable system, as they felt the previous situation was unfair. Minister Watt stated that the law was modified about a year ago to ensure fairness for both workers and employers. Speaking to Heidi Murphy, he highlighted the importance of addressing this issue to maintain a balanced and just workplace.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged China to share data on the origins of the Covid pandemic, marking five years since the outbreak began in Wuhan.
The WHO stressed that transparency, sharing, and international cooperation are essential for preventing and preparing for future pandemics.
While many scientists believe the virus spread naturally from animals to humans, there are still lingering suspicions that it may have leaked from a Wuhan laboratory.
China has not yet responded to the WHO’s call, having previously denied the lab leak theory.
In September, a team of scientists concluded that the Covid pandemic likely originated from infected animals sold at a market in Wuhan, rather than from a lab.
The WHO reflected on the pandemic’s journey, from its initial detection in Wuhan in December 2019 to the global health crisis that shaped the world, leading to lockdowns and the rapid development of vaccines.
The organization emphasized its swift response in early 2020 and expressed gratitude to healthcare workers for their sacrifices.
Though the WHO declared in May 2023 that Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency, its director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, cautioned that future pandemics could emerge at any time, urging the world to remain vigilant and prepared.
