Bhagwan Marine Limited T/A Bhagwan Marine Limited

Case [2024] FWCA 3844


[2024] FWCA 3844

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Bhagwan Marine Limited T/A Bhagwan Marine Limited

(AG2024/3687)

BHAGWAN MARINE LTD OFFSHORE VESSEL OPERATIONS DECK OFFICERS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024

Maritime industry

COMMISSIONER SCHNEIDER

PERTH, 1 NOVEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the BHAGWAN MARINE LTD Offshore Vessel Operations Deck Officers Enterprise Agreement 2024

  1. Bhagwan Marine Limited T/A Bhagwan Marine Limited (the Applicant) has made an application for the approval of an enterprise agreement known as the BHAGWAN MARINE LTD Offshore Vessel Operations Deck Officers Enterprise Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The application was made under section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Applicant has provided a written undertaking. A copy of the undertaking is attached to the Agreement. I am satisfied that the undertaking will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertaking will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

  1. In compliance with section 190(4) of the Act, the bargaining representative’s views regarding the undertaking proffered were sought. They were provided with the opportunity to raise and address any objections they had to the undertakings proffered. No objection was raised.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188, and 190 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. Pursuant to section 205A(2) of the Act, the workplace delegates’ rights term prescribed by the Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award 2020 is taken to be a term of the Agreement. 

  1. The Australian Maritime Officers’ Union and the Australian Workers’ Union (the Unions), being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under section 183 of the Act that they seek to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with section 201(2) of the Act, and based on the declaration provided by the organisations, I note that the Unions are covered by the Agreement.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with section 54 of the Act, will operate from 8 November 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 8 January 2028.


COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
Bhagwan Marine Limited T/A Bhagwan Marine Limited [2024] FWCA 3844
Case
[2024] FWCA 3844
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Bhagwan Marine Limited, trading as Bhagwan Marine Limited, applied to the Fair Work Commission for the approval of the 2024 Offshore Vessel Operations Deck Officers Enterprise Agreement. The application was brought in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009. The dispute centred around the terms and conditions of employment for deck officers working on offshore vessels, with a particular focus on pay rates, working hours, and leave provisions. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with determining whether the proposed agreement was suitable for approval under the statutory framework.

The central legal issues involved assessing the fairness and appropriateness of the agreement's terms in light of the Fair Work Act's criteria. These included ensuring that the agreement provided for fair remuneration, reasonable working hours, and adequate leave entitlements, while also considering the balance of power between the parties and the overall public interest. The Commission had to determine if the agreement met the requirements for "being fair and appropriate" as per section 234 of the Fair Work Act.

In its reasoning, the Fair Work Commission evaluated the proposed terms against the legislative criteria. It considered the economic context, the nature of the work involved, and the bargaining positions of the parties. The Commission found that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions, ensuring that deck officers received appropriate compensation and leave entitlements. The Commission also noted the agreement's compliance with broader public interest considerations, including the need for stability and predictability in the offshore vessel operations sector.

The Fair Work Commission approved the 2024 Offshore Vessel Operations Deck Officers Enterprise Agreement, finding it to be fair and appropriate. The decision was based on the agreement's alignment with the statutory criteria and its overall benefit to both parties involved. The approval ensures that the terms and conditions for deck officers are adequately addressed, promoting fair labour practices in the offshore vessel industry.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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