The WA forestry industry has cautiously welcomed the State Government’s draft workforce transition programs, amid seeking clarification on the detail. Source: Timberbiz
Announced this week following the Native Forest Transition Group Workforce Transition Group meeting, the packages have been described as extremely generous in comparison to the business support packages.
The Workforce Transition Program provides financial assistance to employees in the native timber industry. This includes both a transition payment and a range of reskilling and retraining supports to assist workers as they take the next step in their careers.
The Workforce Transition Program will include financial assistance through a one-off Worker Transition Payment of up to $10,000 for full-time native forestry workers and casual employees working more than 22.5 hours per week, who decide to voluntarily exit the industry to retrain or find new employment.
Should a sawmill choose to close, or a native timber worker be made redundant, the package includes a Worker Transition Payment of $30,000, plus a top-up or scaled variable payment of $1,000 per year of service in the timber industry to a maximum of $15,000.
This means an eligible, long-term native forestry worker could receive a total Worker Transition Payment of up to $45,000.
Forest Industries Federation WA Chief Executive Officer Adele Farina said industry played a critical role in providing information to the State Government and Australian Workers Union to develop the packages.
However, Ms Farina the differences between the business and worker packages were extreme, potentially why Forestry Minister Dave Kelly was happy to share more financial detail about the worker packages.
“We welcome these packages but are still seeking clarification on several points, including the possibility that some workers may be ineligible,” Ms Farina said.
“Industry is strongly of the view that no worker should be excluded from accessing the packages.
“It is encouraging that these packages demonstrate the State Government is able to provide just compensation for workers, now we need them to show the same courtesy to businesses.”
All data collection for the worker program was delivered by industry as the AWU has had little to no involvement with industry prior to the State Government’s policy announcement to end native forestry.
Ms Farina said industry was very disappointed with Minister Kelly’s refusal to acknowledge the role of industry in developing the worker transition program.
“The union has been missing in action until the government’s policy announcement to cease native forestry presented an easy opportunity for the union to increase its membership,” she said.
“Minister Kelly told industry, with respect to the business packages that consultation doesn’t mean listening or accommodating representations made by industry.
“It is time Minister Kelly started listening to industry and justly compensated timber businesses for the loss of their livelihood.”
Ms Farina said industry wanted clarification around statutory redundancies, which businesses would be required to pay despite not being responsible for making workers redundant, the State Government has made the workers redundant.
“The Government promised to deliver a ‘Just Transition’, this means that workers and small businesses most impacted by the decision should not disproportionately bear the financial burden of the policy decision,” she said.
“‘Just Transition’ means that those most vulnerable, those whose livelihoods, incomes and employment are affected, in this case timber businesses and workers, be protected.
“Timber businesses are not big corporations. They are family businesses dependent on the business for their livelihood. The owners work alongside their employees.
“‘Just Transition’ requires timber business owners be compensated for the loss of their business and livelihood. The McGowan Government needs to follow the former Gallop Government’s lead and pay pre-announcement market value for businesses forced to close as a result of the Government’s policy decision.
The process needs to be fair and equitable for all.”
