A new government report has found that just 174 of the 700 workers laid off by BlueScope Steel late last year have found new jobs. The federal Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education compiled the report.
The January 28 Illawarra Mercury also said the taskforce charged with responding to the mass sackings has met just twice. Convened by Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Illawarra Stakeholder Taskforce has not set a date for its next meeting.
The news has prompted calls for greater investment in the Illawarra. The Australian Workers Union (AWU) says the $30 million granted via the federal government’s Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund is not enough.
AWU Port Kembla branch secretary Andy Gillespie told the ABC on January 30: “Thirty million dollars needs to be more like $300 million.”
The $300 million Steel Transformation Plan, of which BlueScope has received $100 million, has also drawn criticism.
Tim Dobson, Illawarra Socialist Alliance convener, called for a fresh approach. “This report proves the futility of government handouts to multinationals like BlueScope,” he told Green Left Weekly.
“Companies receive millions of dollars to ensure their profitability, but workers and their families still lose out. If BlueScope requires taxpayer assistance to innovate in the transition to a low-carbon economy, it should be required to open its books to workers and the community.
“If it still requires government funding, the question of public ownership should be raised. That way, the government could put workers and the community before profits by guaranteeing jobs and investment in lower emissions technology.”
This issue will only grow in importance as 100 more workers will leave BlueScope next month. These employees were retained last year to shut down sections of the steelworks’ plant.