Building workers `seasonally employed'?

By Shane Bentley

SYDNEY -- The federal government has decided that construction workers are “seasonally employed” and therefore not entitled to unemployment benefits when a job ends.

The change means that workers who earn more than the average wage of $35,000 over a 26-week period and are then laid off at the end of the job may not be eligible for benefits for up to six months.

Building workers are employed in the industry throughout the year as full-time workers, even if the availability of work is irregular. Nevertheless, employment services legislation has classed building workers as seasonally employed since July 1.

Unemployed construction workers have already been turned away from Centrelink offices when they have tried to register for the dole.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union has called a national day of action on August 27 in response to this latest attack on workers' rights. Telephone the nearest branch of the CFMEU for details.

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