Premier Peter Gutwein looking into Tasmanian FIFO workers being denied Essential Traveller status

Tasmanian FIFO workers blindsided over an “invisible” rule they could only skip home quarantine if working 14-day rosters have been granted a lifeline with the State Government lifting the restrictions. SEE THE NEW RULES >>

• Tasmanian FIFO workers won’t be required to quarantine
• Travel restrictions may lift sooner than December 1

BREAKING, 12.30PM:

Tasmanian fly-in, fly-out workers no longer have to solely be on 14-day work rosters to be granted Essential Traveller status and be exempt from quarantine when entering the state.

A State Government spokesperson provided The Mercury an update after Premier Peter Gutwein sought Public Health advice after learning of the 14-day ‘invisible’ rule affecting many Tasmanian FIFO workers.

“FIFOs from low risk jurisdictions are eligible for exemption from home quarantine on the proviso they can demonstrate they are regularly away for extended periods of time as part of routine roster cycles,” the spokesperson said.

“The State Control Centre had sought to put in place a 14 day threshold, which has subsequently been reduced to 7 days, following discussions with Public Health.

“The small number of people who have been declined exemption since yesterday will be reassessed as to whether they fall into the 7 day definition.”

11.30AM:

TASMANIAN FIFO workers are livid that they’re still being denied Essential Traveller status by the State Government, saying a new “invisible” rule workers must be on 14-day rosters has blindsided them.

The State Government recently announced that Tasmanian FIFO workers flying in and out of non COVID-affected regions would be exempt from home quarantine from Monday, September 21.

However, dozens of workers on seven-day and 10-day work rosters have reported being denied by the government’s Essential Traveller department, with identical replies being emailed to those not on 14-day rosters.

A copy of an email sent to a worker on a 7-day FIFO roster.

“Please note that the State Controller has determined that only those who work away from home on a 14 day work period qualify for FIFO worker status in Tasmania and are exempt from quarantine,” the response reads. “Upon your return to Tasmania you will be required to comply with the directions in your G2G application.”

Workers say the government is “making up the rules as it goes” as nowhere on the State Government’s official ‘Information for FIFO workers’ web page does it stipulate the rules only apply to those on a 14-day roster.

Some FIFO workers believe the move to grant FIFO workers Essential Traveller status — with conditions — was a political one.

“We have been used as a political pawn to simply let the fruit pickers in,” one Tasmanian FIFO worker told the Mercury.

“It’s beyond a joke.”

During Question Time in State Parliament this morning, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Michelle O’Byrne raised the issue, asking the Premier why some FIFO workers were being denied Essential Traveller status.

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O'Byrne. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Gutwein said he was not aware of the 14-day requirement and would seek further information.

“I was not aware it was potentially 14 days, I will raise that with public health,” he said.

“If they have landed on a particular time frame they will have reasons for it. It’s the first I’ve heard it was 14 days.”

Mr Gutwein said when the announcement was made, it was “framed up” on the basis of FIFO workers spending “significant time outside the state”.

“The purpose of framing it that way was to ensure those travelling to Melbourne or Sydney for a couple of days work a week and coming back weren’t picked up in this,” he said.

“Many (FIFO workers) have 10 or 12-day rosters,” Ms O’Byrne interjected.

“This is the first I’ve heard of the period of 14 days,” Mr Gutwein said.

“The example I heard (of a FIFO worker’s roster) was 8 days on 6 back, so I was not aware that it was 14 day so I will raise that with public health.”

So currently FIFO workers on and 8/6 roster, still are required to self-isolate for the time they are in Tasmania. Whether the roster is 2/2, 8/6 or 3/1 is not relevant. I am deeply concerned of the impact of these discriminatory rules on their mental health @casgarvey #politas pic.twitter.com/nctSnqPXPb

— Helen Polley (@polley_helen) September 22, 2020

Labor Senator Helen Polley said the inconsistency was unfair to Tasmanian FIFO workers.

“The government is committed to allowing a mainland workforce into Tasmania for fruit picking and other agricultural purposes with workers not forced to enter quarantine when they arrive and yet a miner who works interstate for longer than two weeks must quarantine at home for 14 days,” Ms Polley said.

“It seems that if you are not on 14 day away roster you are not eligible. So currently FIFO workers on and 8/6 roster, still are required to self-isolate for the time they are in Tasmania. “Whether the roster is 2/2, 8/6 or 3/1 is not relevant, more often than not they are working remotely with stringent safety protocols in place on site.”

Ms Polley said she was “deeply concerned” of the impact of the rules on the FIFO community and their mental health.

“Obviously agriculture deserves a workforce and it is essential but the inconsistency is right in front of us — all to see,” she said.

“The Premier has really misled and used these FIFO workers as pawns in order to satisfy the fruit picking industry.

“This inconsistency is not only blatantly unfair but it doesn’t seem to be based in any rational thought.”

The official information for FIFO workers states:

Tasmanian fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers who work interstate in low-risk areas for extended periods can apply for Essential Traveller status from Monday 21 September 2020.

Successful applicants will not be required to quarantine but will need to comply with existing Public Health Directions while in Tasmania, including monitoring themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking testing if symptomatic.

Workers must not have spent time in an Affected Region or an Affected Premises in the 14 days prior to arrival in Tasmania, and must transit directly from their workplace to a port of departure.

The following eligibility criteria must be met:

• an existing Tasmanian resident, whose main source of employment is not in Tasmania and:
• this main source of employment requires that the person be physically present at that workplace to fulfil their employment duties, and this work cannot be done remotely;
• the worker has a scheduled roster of shift work that leads to extended periods of time at the interstate workplace, with identified leave breaks;
• evidence that this working arrangement is established with the intention to be ongoing;
• the Tasmanian resident returns to Tasmania on leave, with the intention to return to their interstate workplace to resume their shift work at the end of this leave period.

Eligibility evidence requirements are:

• evidence of existing Tasmanian residency;
• evidence of fly-in, fly-out employment interstate, for example –
• letter from employer or evidence of employment contract, verifying the person’s employment as a FIFO worker including the scope of the person’s role that requires them to be onsite; and
• current roster, demonstrating an extended period of time required to be at work with an identified leave window (eg three weeks on, two weeks off)
• evidence to address how the remaining eligibility conditions will be complied with e.g. evidence of transit intentions/process from workplace to Tasmania (flight bookings, accommodation).

Are you a FIFO worker affected by the current border restrictions? Email [e-mail]