Ongoing discussions have a reached a critical stage over Government's plans to enforce premium compensation for working past 40 hours a week, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Philip Barnett said yesterday.

Attempts by Government to enforce premium compensation for working more than 40 hours a week were rejected by the Senate earlier this year. Since then, a task force has been meeting with Government to find a middle ground over amendments to the Employment Act 2000.

"We have had ongoing discussions with the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Randy Horton. He has not said if the legislation will go forward as currently drafted or new legislation will be introduced," Mr. Barnett said.

"We are certainly hopeful that new legislation will be acceptable to all parties and are hopeful that he understands all the issues. We are positive that we will reach a win-win resolution as he been meeting with us."

The Restaurant Division of the Chamber of Commerce has made numerous submissions to the Minister in an effort to reach a compromise between employers opposed to the legislation, fearing rising business costs, and Government which is seeking to protect workers from the profit taking mentality of some employers.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Peter Everson was tight-lipped about what the Government intended to do but admitted that "various proposals are being considered and are waiting to hear from the Minister."