NOTE: The situation with coronavirus is changing every day, so please be sure to refresh this page and check our Facebook page or COVID-19 portal for updates.
The CFMEU released the following statement on COVID-19 on Monday March 16, 2020.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The CFMEU C&G Division Vic/Tas Branch believes that it is not in the interest of the industry and its workforce for sites to be closed down partially or fully due to COVID-19, while we must all maintain public and private health standards for everyone in the community.
Therefore, the Branch seeks the following:
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Every effort must be made by industry employers to upgrade personal hygiene and minimise person to person contact and all workers must co-operate in all necessary measures to achieve these objectives. These measures need to include:
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Additional cleaning/decontamination on-site.
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Separation of meal breaks and work groups to achieve maximum personal space.
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Provide suitable gloves where workers are in close proximity for work or site access purposes.
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Provide hand sanitiser in all hoists, amenities and areas/levels of the site.
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Conduct regular, if necessary daily, toolbox meetings to provide up-to-date information.
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Individuals who believe they may have COVID-19 symptoms should NOT attend site or if they develop at work should immediately leave site, and seek a test and remain in self-isolation until test results are available.
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Negative test results should be immediately communicated to the employer, who should facilitate an immediate return to work without prejudice.
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Positive results should also be immediately communicated to the employer and following the self-isolation period, the employer should facilitate an immediate return to work without prejudice.
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Any worker financially disadvantaged should be entitled to a “hardship” payment from their Incolink Redundancy account, to cover the period prior to a COVID-19 test result. And following a positive result, the worker can access personal leave and any portable sick leave scheme accruals.
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No site will be partially or fully closed down without direction and/or advice by Victorian Chief Medical Officer or their Representative.
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Any site partially or fully closed as directed/advised by the Victorian Chief Medical Officer will be re-opened as soon as any cleaning and/or decontamination works directed/advised by the Victorian Chief Medical Officer, are completed. And workers without symptoms and/or negative test results, will be advised by the employer to return to work, again without prejudice.
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Any site partially or fully closed without the intervention of the Victorian Chief Medical Officer will be subject to legal claims by the Union for payment by the employer.
The Branch will continue to review its position on a daily basis to consider any legal directions by health authorities charged with oversight of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where to go for coronavirus updates
World Health Organisation www.who.int
Aus Dept of Health health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
Vic Dept of Health and Human Services dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
