Big Mining Companies Lobby Against Equal Pay for Equal Work Policy
CEO Tania Constable emphasized that the policy overlooks key factors such as the worker’s age, experience, expertise, and qualifications.
Mining giants have criticized the industrial relations reforms by the Albanese government, stating that they hinder economic productivity as the Same Job Same Pay rights come into effect in November.
“Unions have not considered the unintended consequences of these workplace laws, as the primary benefit of such interventions in Australian workplaces mostly benefits them rather than the workers they claim to represent,” said Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).
Constable argued that the policy, part of the federal government’s efforts to close loopholes in industrial relations, lacks considerations for the worker’s age, experience, expertise, and qualifications.
Union Blames Mining Companies’ Greed
Constable suggested that these regulations will deter investments in Australia, while the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) countered, blaming the big mining industry players’ greed as the main obstacle to mining investments.
“Paying labour hire workers fairly and equally is a minor cost compared to the profits of mining companies,” said Sally McManus, Secretary of ACTU.
McManus emphasized that in the last fiscal year, the mining industry generated $253 billion in revenue, with profits increasing significantly more than wages in the sector.
“Many large businesses seek ways to reduce wages and exploit legal loopholes to boost profits. The government’s role should be to protect Australian workers and prevent this from happening,” McManus added.
BHP Coal Mine Workers Rally
Approximately 500 mine workers protested outside BHP’s annual general meeting, urging the company to accept the Same Job, Same Pay implementation.
Grahame Kelly, General Secretary of the Mining and Energy Union (MEU), revealed that labour hire workers at coal mines in Queensland are paid less than $30,000 for performing the same job as direct hires.
Kelly suggested that BHP should follow the examples of Qantas and Kmart by not hiring through labour hire provider Operations Services.
“BHP should consider abolishing the Operations Services model and employing these workers under existing site agreements,” Kelly stated. “We will continue to fight for the deserved wage increase for workers performing the same tasks as BHP’s permanent employees under current agreements.”
