UnionsACT has commenced an ACT-wide jobs survey to measure the impact of the coronavirus crisis on employment, income and job security.
The survey, launched on Wednesday, has been completed by more than 400 workers.
While individual results will be confidential, the results will be used to assist with the union movement’s cooperation with the ACT Government’s economic response to the crisis, and inform policy makers on the real, human impact of the crisis.
The online survey is here: https://unionsact.org.au/covid19-impact/
UnionsACT has urged Federal and ACT Governments to prioritise keeping workers in jobs as its principle economic focus.
Workers who have lost their jobs, been stood-down or lost income due to lost shifts now face below poverty level Newstart payments as well as mass delays in processing at Centrelink due to 6-years of Liberal Government cuts to DHS.
Countries including UK, Denmark, and NZ have all introduced a wages subsidy. The UK is guaranteeing 80% of a person’s wage to ensure jobs are protected.
The Federal Government must do the same immediately to avoid mass unemployment and Depression-era poverty.
The following quotes are attributable to Alex White, Secretary of UnionsACT:
“We are urging workers to help us measure the impact on jobs and income of the coronavirus crisis.
“The union movement in the ACT and nationally is working closely with governments and industry to protect jobs and support public health measures.
“The more information we have about how everyday people in the ACT are being impacted, the better we can make the policy response.”
