GDP data released today by the ABS covers the quarter prior to the Sydney lockdown and therefore does not reflect the current situation facing workers there, as well as in Victoria and the ACT, who are all facing ongoing lockdowns with no JobKeeper support to keep them connected to employment.
Given what other data sets show about the impact of the current lockdowns are having on permanent jobs, hours of work and wages we know that worse news is on the horizon for working people and the economy generally.
The Morrison Government needs to re-implement the JobKeeper 2 wage subsidy covering all workers affected by lockdowns including casual and visa workers and with safeguards to prevent employer rorts, to keep workers connected to their place of employment. Job security and money in workers' pockets is the only sure-fire way to stimulate growth in the economy when we finally enter the recovery phase of this crisis.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President Michele O'Neil,
"A small bump in GDP does not mean that we are past the darkest part of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. The failed vaccine rollout and the refusal of the Morrison Government to bring back a wage subsidy means that working people will continue to face lockdowns with no job security.
"The increase in the GDP was calculated prior to the vast majority of the long, persistent lockdowns that Victoria NSW and the ACT are currently facing. We fear that the September announcements will not be positive.
"The Morrison Government needs to provide assurance to workers that they will have a job at the end of this. Bring back JobKeeper 2, covering all workers affected by lockdowns including casual and visa workers and with safeguards to prevent employer rorts, keep workers linked to their place of work, give them the support they deserve."
