Term of effectiveness of vouchers under Decree No 815/2001 extended

By Decree No 815/2001 the awarding of travel cards to personnel under contract of employment was included as a social benefit and food vouchers and food baskets, not subject to retention of benefits, were increased to $A 150 per month, for workers whose gross monthly salaries are less than or equal to $A 1,500.

Although initially the term of effectiveness of this benefit was set to expire on March 31, 2003, Decree No 510/2003 extended this term to March 31, 2005.

After this term lapsed without a new extension, the effectiveness of the benefit expired. Nevertheless, by Decree No 519/2005, published May 23, 2005, the Executive ruled a new extension for this benefit from April 1 of the current year up to and including December 31, 2005.

It should be noted that the extension is applicable for those employers who had been awarded the benefit up to March 31, 2005. Moreover, it is established that the workers who had not received the increase ruled by Decree No 815/2001before March 31, 2005, may receive said benefits only by means of Collective Wage Bargaining for the period covered by the extension.