The CFMEU has welcomed a commitment from Queensland’s Mines Inspectorate to crack down on companies insisting labour hire workers pay for their own health checks and safety gear.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland President Steve Smyth said union safety inspectors had raised the alarm about the on-going problem of companies requiring labour hire workers to pay for their own medical assessments and supply their own personal protective equipment (PPE) as a condition of employment.
"Casual labour hire workers are already being exploited – it’s outrageous that the companies are trying to shift the costs of the workers’ own health and safety on to them as well," said Mr Smyth.
"This is a dangerous industry and it’s the company’s responsibility to pay for medical assessments and safety equipment.
"It’s the government’s responsibility to make sure the companies comply with relevant laws about workplace health and safety. It’s beyond time they were held to account."
Queensland’s Mines Inspectorate has written to mining companies saying it had received numerous enquiries and complaints from contractor employees about paying for their own personal protective equipment (PPE) and mineworker health assessments, in breach of Queensland’smine safety laws.
A letter from Queensland’s Chief Inspector of Mines Luca Rocchi said:
"There have been a number of incidents where positions at mines have been advertised requiring applicants to have a current mine medical and the applicant has been asked to pay for it themselves to secure employment.
"We have also been provided evidence of employment contracts requiring workers to pay the cost of the medical if they leave their employment within a defined time which would result in the employer not meeting the (legal) requirements.
"The Inspectorate…will be actively checking to ensure PPE requirements and health assessments of contract workers and labour hire employees are being managed in accordance with the legislation."
The CFMEU urged any worker concerned about requests to pay for health checks or safety equipment to contact the Union.
