Unions Tasmania survey shows workers want post-COVID changes, including less work and stress

Unions Tasmania and Labor says Tasmanian workers do not want to return to the old working regimen post-COVID, with major concerns about workload and stress in the wake of job losses.

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UNIONS Tasmania and Labor say a survey of almost 2000 Tasmanians shows wage-earners do not want to return to “workplace normal” post COVID-19 with casual employment and stagnant wages.

“At the peak of the pandemic 20,000 jobs were lost and 15,000 businesses, about half those in Tasmania, are now getting JobKeeper to keep workers on the books,” Labor Leader Rebecca White said.

“The government must lay out a comprehensive jobs plan not a series of ad hoc loan programs, which look good on the surface, but are little use to businesses already in debt.”

Unions Tasmania released the results of its COVID-19 Recovery Survey, conducted between June and August, on Monday.

It asked workers about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and priorities for Tasmania’s economic and social recovery.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said workers needed to have secure jobs and decent wages if they were to continue to spend in the local economy and support Tasmanian businesses.

Respondents said they wanted to see an inclusive recovery plan that invested more in public services, targeted sustainable new jobs and addressed both economic and social inequality in Tasmania.

The survey findings also indicated that more secure jobs and decent pay were also big ticket items.

Other key results include concerns about increased workload and work stress.

“These are the top two ongoing job impacts for those still employed,” Ms Munday said.

“Workers have kept supplies moving, our communities safe, kept businesses running, carried

out vital public services and saved lives throughout this pandemic. They have now clearly told

us their priorities for recovery.

“Workers are saying that they want what delivers for them in terms of jobs and working conditions, that gets services to people and makes it a priority to tackle inequality.

“Tasmanian workers overwhelmingly told us they don’t want to return to the old ‘normal’. In

the months and years ahead, we will be advocating for a worker-centred recovery that

creates a better Tasmania.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said the state government was the most generous economic and social support in the nation to support jobs.

“This Government has already invested record amounts into essential services for Tasmanians, investing more into health, education and safety by employing more nurses, doctors, paramedics, teachers and police,” Mr Gutwein said.

“This is in addition to our $3.1 billion Construction Blitz that will underpin around 15,000 Tasmanian jobs right around the state.”