Call for Worker Wage Security Amid Sale
Workers at Liberty Bell Bay face an uncertain future. Unions have urged the Tasmanian and Federal Governments to guarantee their wages. The administrator announced that 181 of the 216 workers must take leave without pay next week or be terminated. Only 35 employees will remain during the sale process.
Funding for wages is only assured until 24 April. The administrator remains optimistic about finding a buyer. However, Bell Bay Joint Unions, including the Australian Workers’ Union and Mining and Energy Union, are calling for immediate government action to protect these workers.
Chris Donovan, Assistant National Secretary of the AWU, stressed the urgency of resolving the issue. He stated, “We are calling on Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockcliff and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to get these workers paid, otherwise by the time this site is ready to resume production there’ll be no-one to run it.”
