Chamber of Minerals and Energy policy director Rob Carruthers said reduced travel restrictions would be a relief to resource workers from other states and from overseas.
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“These changes to the border will allow CME member companies access to wider labour pools, which should help relieve some skills pressures,” Mr Carruthers said.
The chamber estimates the WA resource sector has prospective projects worth $127 billion.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Chris Rodwell also applauded the Premier’s announcement.
“The clarification of a date will begin to ease the uncertainty, supply chain delays, higher costs and chronic worker shortages experienced by WA businesses and the economy during this pandemic,” Mr Rodwell said.
The inability to easily import workers into WA has seen employers compete for workers, pushing up wages and conditions.
UnionsWA secretary Owen Whittle said workers needed the increased wages and job security that some had received since WA imposed border restrictions in April 2020.
“We can’t see a return to a business model that relies on the exploitation of vulnerable temporary migrant workers rather than creating secure jobs, investing in local workers and developing skills,” Mr Whittle said.
“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of many working people whom too many had taken for granted, not only our health workforce but also those in transport, retail and doing work such as cleaners and in security.”
“We should be using the opportunity presented to us to create secure jobs and boost wages.”
Mr Whittle called for the principle of “same job, same pay” rather than workers with labour hire firms earning less than direct employees.
After almost two years of reduced flying across the Nullarbor, Qantas will ramp up its service from February 2.
Tourists, family members and new workers will have 41 flights to choose from on the first day of the new travel regime, including 14 flights to and from Sydney.
WA’s first order of business when borders open – ship in labour
Source: Philippines Alive
