Covid security workers chase $1.4m underpayments

Security guards employed by the state government to keep Tasmania safe during the Covid pandemic are chasing nearly $1.4m in underpaid wages.

Hotel quarantine. Picture: istock

Security guards employed by the state government to keep Tasmania safe during the Covid pandemic are chasing nearly $1.4m in underpaid wages.

The United Workers Union says the state government should step up to fix the shortfall after a contractor who employed the workers went bust.

The government says the case is one for the federal FairWork Commission.

The state government hired a number of security firms to provide around-the-clock security at quarantine hotels during the pandemic.

One of those allegedly paid workers a flat rate without overtime, weekend or public holiday loadings. The company went into liquidation in April 2023.

UWU Tasmania co-ordinator Amy Brumby. Picture: Chris Kidd

UWU Tasmania co-ordinator Amy Brumby said the Tasmanian government had failed to ensure companies that were the recipient of lucrative government contracts were properly vetted and scrutinised.

“No company should be allowed to operate outside of the confines of the law, but certainly not companies which are expected to undertake sensitive work at the behest of the state government and paid for by taxpayer dollars,” Ms Brumby said.

“United Workers Union has written to the government on multiple occasions, trying to make them aware of the breaches happening right under their noses, but there has been little interest.

“Those people who put themselves on the frontline at the height of the uncertainty of COVID-19 may never see a single cent because of the government’s inaction.”

In a letter to the union, Department of Health State Secretary Shane Gregory said he valued the contribution made by security workers, the department would not be getting involved.

“I recommend that the union or TPS staff pursue resolution through the Fair Work Commission,” he wrote.

“While the department is dedicated to finding solutions, it will not involve itself in direct industrial action.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor‘s Ella Haddad.

Ms Brumby said the government should sort out the problems caused by its contractor.

“Ultimately this mess is Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s to clean up and at the very least he should be making sure that workers receive some form of acknowledgment,” she said.

Labor’s Ella Haddad said she backed the workers.

“This is another mess that Premier Rockliff’s minority government was repeatedly warned about, yet failed to take any action to prevent.

“Ultimately, these workers were contracted to work on behalf of the Tasmanian Government to keep Tasmanians safe during the pandemic.

“It’s unacceptable for the government to try to duck the issue.”

Originally published as Covid security workers chase $1.4m underpayments