Mackay workers rally outside Dawson MP George Christensen’s office to protest worker casualisation

Ian Farrell hurt himself at work four years ago, but because he was a casual worker, he said he was ‘thrown to the dogs’.

Fitter and turner Ian Farrell was hurt at work four years ago, and he is still struggling to find employment.

Mr Farrell said the day he was injured, his employers had asked him to lift and carry items weighing 60-70kgs.

He said as a casual employee he dared not refuse as his employers hinted he could be easily replaced.

Two slipped discs later, Mr Farrell said he had lost more than just his health.

Ian Farrell at the workers union rally in Mackay on Monday. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“If you’re a casual worker and if you hurt yourself at work, they throw you to the dogs,” he said.

“I took them to court and got a payout, that’s about used up now and I can’t find any more work.

“I’ve got two trades, I make it through the interview process but as soon as I tell them about my back, I get nothing.”

Mackay workers on Monday rallied outside Dawson MP George Christensen’s office to protest worker casualisation.

Workers rally in Mackay on Monday. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Speaking at the rally, Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus said stories such as Mr Farrell’s were just one of the many casualties of worker casualisation.

“We know casual workers are more likely to be injured at work,” she said.

“They have less bargaining power.”

Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Michael Clifford said he believed worker casualisation was particularly important in Mackay as labour hire groups infiltrated the mining sector.

Mr Clifford said not only did casual work make it difficult for families to secure loans and housing, it made it difficult “to even plan a weekend away”.

A Senate Inquiry was to travel to Moranbah on July 12 and 13 for a federal probe into the impact of insecure or precarious employment on wages, the economy and workplace rights.

The hearing will still go ahead but because of Covid-19 it will be held remotely.