BY ISABEL EVERETT
State Labor's Upper Hunter by-election candidate, Jeff Drayton says if elected he'll immediately introduce a Bill in State Parliament, which he says will secure jobs and make workplaces safer for mine workers.
Mr Drayton announced the party's five point plan in Muswellbrook on Thursday.
The plan involves;
1. Forcing mining companies to directly employ 80 per cent of workers on sites – Jeff and NSW Labor will require this as a condition of consent which apply to resource planning approvals.
2. Imposing jail time for mining bosses that breach a new industrial manslaughter offence – Jeff and NSW Labor will create a new industrial manslaughter offence in law that will see individuals and companies prosecuted if they are responsible
3. Requiring mining companies to engage in safe and fair workplace practices – Jeff and NSW Labor will include this as a requirement of the ‘fit and proper person’ test under the Mining Act
4. Ensuring labour hire workers receive the same pay as directly employed workers – This will be imposed by a registration condition for labour hire companies on mine sites; and
5. Delivering a local jobs test - when existing mines in NSW are moving towards greater automation of operations, a local jobs test will require them to:
- Develop and implement a transparent Local Jobs Impact Statement on any proposed automation in mines that must include consultation with the workforce, their representatives and community representative
- Meet a ‘No Net Job Loss Test’ at the mine as a result of automation
- Include additional training for existing employees in any transitional arrangements, so they can retrain into new roles at the existing mine site
- Locate control rooms and technical facilities associated with automated operations at the existing site or its immediate locality.
“Mine workers have been fighting for job security while mining companies cut permanent jobs and replace them with casual labour hire. We need to everything we can to restore permanent secure jobs to the mining industry," Mr Drayton said.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “Too many mineworkers are working full-time hours for years, but without the benefits of full-time work - like job security and paid holidays. How are people supposed to look after their families or pay off a mortgage without a secure job?"
Labor’s
changes will apply to planning conditions for new mines and for the extension and modification
of existing mining licenses.
Image Credit: PV Magazine Australia
