Call for sacked mine workers to speak up

17 NOVEMBER 2016: Today, I am calling for any German Creek mine workers who believe they have been made redundant so their jobs could go to labour hire contractors to contact my office so I can take up their case with the Fair Work Ombudsman. I have had ongoing concerns about the rise of casualisation in the mining industry and particular concerns about what was happening at Anglo American’s German Creek coal mine near Middlemount. I’ve written to the Fair Work Ombudsman because it appears there may be breaches of the Fair Work Act in relation to workers at German Creek Mine, and this warrants investigation.There are reports of workers being sacked at the same time as the company is advertising for their positions with a labour hire company. I am asking for those workers to step forward and contact me, because the Fair Work Ombudsman needs to hear from the individuals affected to determine what is actually happening. We all understand that mining companies have a right to operate their business in a financially viable way. But if a mine is retrenching their permanent work force and immediately filling those positions with contracted labour, that’s a breach of the Fair Work Act and is illegal. Those who do want to speak up can also provide information to the Fair Work Ombudsman anonymously if they prefer.I am working with other colleagues to find solutions to the rise of casualisation in the mining industry. My colleague, Michelle Landry, the Federal Member for Capricornia, and I have been speaking with the Minister for Resources Matt Canavan about casualisation of the workforce because we want to find solutions for all involved. I have also written to the CFMEU to ask for their cooperation in providing concrete details to the Fair Work Ombudsman so that if there are breaches of the Fair Work Act, they can be dealt with accordingly.Workers can contact my office on 4944 0662.