SA unions call for job creation

Issue 

By Liam Mitchell

ADELAIDE — "Employment growth is unlikely until the end of 1992 and into 1993", SA United Trades and Labor Council (UTLC) assistant secretary Chris White told a crowd of 200 at the Social Justice and Economy conference here recently.

White called for additional federal government job creation schemes, including a massive injection of funds into local employment initiatives. He warned that reliance on "long-term strategic changes" would not bring urgently needed relief to the unemployed, no matter how important these changes might be in the long run.

Participants in the conference discussed the state of the economy, economic rationalism and the New Right, and social justice strategies. The gathering was organised by the UTLC and the SA Council of Social Services.

Conference organiser Michelle Hogan said the world economy is currently working under the banner of development at all costs, at great expense to the environment and the Third World. Joan Russell, a social worker from the working-class Elizabeth-Munro area, was critical of market-driven development in Adelaide's northern suburbs, which has left large areas with inadequate community facilities.

Chris White supported "fast-tracking" of major infrastructure projects, industry development and the Multi-Function Polis. He also called for a slowing of tariff reductions in currently protected industries, taxation reform, interest rate cuts and the use of superannuation funds for job-creating investment.

Referring to Liberal Party proposals to introduce work for the dole, White said award rates and conditions should apply in community works projects. He said such projects should include educational and training content and should not simply be dead-end make-work schemes.

Tony Evans, another UTLC spokesperson, said around 2.5 million new jobs are needed to achieve full employment by the year 2000, allowing for population growth and replacement of jobs lost through industry restructuring.

Phil Dare, a Skillshare officer from the Parks area, which has the country's third highest unemployment rate, said unions had to pay more attention to the unemployed. Many did not see the benefits of unionism even though they faced hazards such as appalling safety standards in casual and part-time work. Dare also warned of Liberal plans to cut or privatise Skillshare and other training schemes.

Federation of Industrial Manufacturing and Engineering Employees representative Don O'Dea said Australia should aim for a highly productive Swedish or Swiss style of economic organisation based on exports and a strongly vocation-oriented education system.

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