GameSlaves.org tells of the coming wage changes by law for programmers in the field of IT, including game programmers. The changes mean that game programmers in Australia will be fairly compensated for overtime work, and entry level programmers get a fairer wage. If it is indeed true, the implications for the local industry could be enormous. From GameSlaves.org....
On January 1, 2005, the Information Technology Industry Award becomes "common rule".
This means:
- All programmers will have to be paid minimum rates according to their qualifications and experience. Any programmers currently on very low pay will be entitled by law to an instant pay rise next month.
- Programmers must now be paid for any overtime they do beyond the 38 hour standard working week. Your employer will have to pay you for each extra hour at 1.5 times your hourly rate - unless your salary is already high enough to cover this.
"This order shall come into force from the beginning of the first full pay period to commence on or after 3 July 2004 and remain in force for a period of six months"
WTF
Heh, weird...
Still overtime pay only has to be paid if you have proof of the overtime :P
Apparently it only becomes common law in Victoria. Link: http://www.airc.gov.au/alldocuments/PR953298.htm