Franchise Council under fire for lobbying against joint employer bill

The new laws would hold franchisors responsible for a franchisee's violations in circumstances where it had significant control or influence over them, knew or should have known about underpayments, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the violations.

They would also impose much stiffer penalties for breaches, with companies facing possible $540,000 fines.

But the Franchise Council is targeting government and crossbench MPs as it seeks to neuter the bill, arguing it would have unintended consequences that would hurt employment and small business.