Coronavirus Australia: Unions, mining companies unite in bid to save jobs
Tough new restrictions to come into effect at mining sites around country as industry fights to keep operating during COVID-19 pandemic.
Mining companies and unions have joined forces to keep Australia’s resources industry operating through the COVID-19 crisis in a bid to protect the nation’s economic lifeline and shield more than one million jobs.
The Australian Workers’ Union, CFMEU and Minerals Council of Australia, representing the nation’s biggest mining companies, will release a joint statement on Thursday pledging to fight “the most significant disruption to daily life since the Second World War”.
“The resources sector employs more than 1 million Australians and is responsible for more than 58 per cent of Australia’s export income. Mining also makes a major socio-economic contribution to Australian communities through partnerships and local services,” the AWU, CFMEU and MCA said.
“The measures currently being undertaken to attempt to control the spread of the pandemic are unprecedented, and no aspect of Australian social life or the economy will remain unaffected. This is as true for the mining industry as any other part of our economy.
“Yet the continuation of productive activity in the mining industry is vitally important. Australia needs the income and economic activity generated by the sector to fund initiatives for the benefit of all Australians.”
The unions and mining companies highlight the direct and indirect reliance of regional, local and remote communities on the resources sector, “whose sustainability would be threatened if governments took decisions which would drastically reduce economic activity”.
Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt is talking with states and territories to keep Australia’s vital mining and gas sectors operating through the coronavirus pandemic. The Queensland government earlier this week moved to block non-critical fly-in, fly-out workers from interstate.
The mining sector and unions, who have endorsed tough new health and safety restrictions on sites across the country, said the “safety and wellbeing of the Australian community is the highest priority”.
“The AWU, CFMMEU and the MCA are united in their determination to implement strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols to keep people in work and sites operating where it is safe to do so.
“Existing models of employment such as fly in, fly out (FIFO) and drive in, drive out (DIDO) should be maintained, provided the safety and wellbeing of mine workers and local communities is not compromised.”
Under an agreement between the unions and mining companies, they have committed to minimising the risk of workers being exposed to COVID-19, encouraging self-isolation for miners and putting systems in place to manage positive coronavirus tests.
“The MCA and resources unions also agreed to work together to minimise any long-term job losses in the industry as a result of COVID-19 and noted that employers are meeting medical costs associated with COVID-19 testing for workers.”
“The adoption of these policies will ensure that when Australia emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong mining sector and a safe and healthy workforce will ensure Australia’s speedy economic recovery is delivered for the benefit of all Australians.
“In these tough times, the sector remains focused on operating safely as an essential industry which supports workers, families, local communities and Australia.”
The Australian last week revealed mining and gas companies were considering scaling back interstate FIFO workers, implementing longer shifts to minimise travel and deploying testing facilities for COVID-19 in major resources regions.