The Albanese government has put forth a new workplace relations bill covering work flexibility and the gender pay gap. 

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke is introducing Labor's Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill to parliament as part of “a seismic shift” in the nation's industrial relations laws.

The government has been warned it will have a fight on its hands to convince employers to back the bill. 

The bill abolishes the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) an takes steps to reduce the gender pay gap.

It is also designed to empower certain workers, including parents with school-aged children, carers and over 55s, to negotiate more flexible hours.

It sets up new rules that will see employers face the threat of forced arbitration before the Fair Work Commission if they refuse a request for roster flexibility.

Mr Burke said some requests for flexible work are “unreasonably refused” and under existing laws, those workers have no right of review.

“Women still carry the main responsibility for caring work and are more likely to request flexible work arrangements,” he said in a statement.

“In order to access the flexibility they need to manage work and care, they are often forced to drop out of the workforce, or to take lower-paid or less secure employment.

“This plays a major role in widening the gender pay gap.”

Possibly the most contentious element is a plan for industry-wide, or multi-employer bargaining.

Andrew McKellar from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says multi-employer agreements would be a backward step, and could lead to more industrial action and job losses.

“It's a major concern for business because we really could see a seismic shift in the way in which bargaining is structured in Australia,” he said.

“What we don't want to see as an outcome which will take us back towards industry-wide pattern agreements, where it's one size fits all.

“Potentially, this bill goes too far, it will get the balance wrong.”

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus says employer groups would oppose the plan.

“Those are the same people who've denied workers' pay rises for 10 years,” she told the ABC.

“So if they think there's a law that's going to make it easier for workers to get pay rises, they're of course going to oppose it.”