Australians on Thursday welcomed a new bill that gives them the right to ignore their bosses’ phone calls and messages outside of working hours, but some business leaders accused the government of overstepping its prerogatives.

The so-called “right to disconnect” is part of a series of legislative changes aimed at employee-employer relations that have been tabled in parliament by the federal government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Labor leader who came to power after defeating former premier Prime Minister – Conservative minister Scott Morrison in the 2022 election.

The bill passed the Senate on Thursday, but will return to the House for a vote on several amendments.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Sidei resident Colvin McPherson told Reuters. “We all need to relax, we all need to be able to switch off and not be bothered by emails and phone calls in the middle of the night,” he added.

She gave the example of her own children, who she says are lawyers and “work really long hours anyway, and then you see something come up at night.”

The right to ignore calls from work already exists in several European countries

France, Germany and other countries of the European Union have already adopted similar laws on the “right to disconnect”. Back in 2021, the European Parliament recommended that it become a fundamental right at the EU level.

“In general, I think you should be able to switch off when you finish your work day and when you’re at home doing what you want, on the weekend or on vacation, I think that’s a very smart thing,” said Ivan Karayas. Reuters, another Sydney resident.

But a statement signed by chambers of commerce across Australia’s various economic sectors called on the Senate to review what the business community called a “rushed and flawed” law.

“Today’s technology has given the workforce flexibility, and many employees no longer need to sit behind a desk from 9 to 5. We cannot allow labor laws to make it harder for hardworking business owners to create the wealth we enjoy as a nation. “, the message says.

Bran Black, director of the Business Council of Australia, told reporters in Canberra that the bill’s provisions are anti-business and come at a time when the country needs them least.

“Businesses don’t mind people being able to opt out, I know I like to opt out too (…) but you have to make sure that these policies are right in terms of how they are implemented and the type of consultation, which are needed for this,” he added.