Queensland mineworkers to get pay rise
Thousands of BHP mineworkers will receive a pay rise after the Fair Work Commission upheld the new ‘Same Job Same Pay’ laws.
Three of BHP’s Central Queensland mines will soon employ the new Same Job Same Pay laws following a landmark decision by the Fair Work Commission to greenlight wage rises for thousands of mineworkers.
These laws will increase pay in the order of $30,000 for around 2,200 mineworkers currently working under the labour hire model pioneered by BHP.
BHP will now be forced to stop using labour hire arrangements as a loophole to underpay workers, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said.
A BHP spokesperson said that Operations Services – its mining services provider – was responsible for delivering jobs and careers for over 3700 people.
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“We note the Fair Work Commission ruling, and we are studying the decision and will comply with any Orders made. Clearly this will have implications for our business,” the spokesperson said.
ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said BHP could afford to return income to workers, and the families and communities they support.
“This decision will have a flow-on effect throughout the mining industry and well beyond that, as employers realise that using labour hire rorts to undercut wages is no longer lawful,” she said.
The Albanese Government is responsible for bringing in the new laws. The Mining and Energy Union pioneered the proposal, supported by the ACTU.
Already the new laws have allowed over $100 million in annual pay rises for other mineworkers. The laws have additionally permitted raises for Qantas flight attendants and warehouse employees across the country.
