Jim’s Mowing boss threatens legal action as he tells staff and franchisees to stop work
The owner of Jim’s Mowing has lashed out at Premier Daniel Andrews after being forced to tell his employees and franchisees they must stop work under stage four restrictions.
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The owner of Jim’s Mowing has been forced to advise his employees and franchisees to stop work this afternoon following further statements from Premier Daniel Andrews that lawn mowing and garden maintenance is not allowed under strict new guidelines that come into effect tonight.
Jim Penman on Tuesday offered to cover fines handed to his employees or franchisees, arguing that gardening and maintenance should be allowed under written guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We have no choice. I think the way he (the Premier) is behaving is outrageous and illegal, I am not ruling out legal action in the future,” he says.
In a letter to be sent to staff and franchisees this afternoon Mr Penman says: “We still believe we have a legal right to operate under stage 4 restrictions, based on guidelines put out by the Department of Health and Human Welfare.”
“But given the pressure being applied by the Premier, we must ask all Melbourne metro Franchisees to stop work today. Your fees will be suspended. You may apply for a permit to operate as an essential worker, though there is no certainty this will be honoured.”
“We will continue to fight for your right to operate, if you wish to. We strongly believe that our services carry no risk of infection and contribute to the health and welfare of Victorians.”
Yesterday Mr Penman says he had received legal advice that despite what the Premier had said, the written guidelines (from the Department of Health and Human Services) were clear they can operate.
“We do a lot of work for the NDIS, elderly people, gutter cleaning, picking up branches and leaves off paths which can be a significant health hazard. If they do it safely, it’s legal for them to work.”
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