Forced leave simply adds to family pressure

The Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas says that forcing workers at Premier Coal to use their annual leave entitlement during a company dictated shutdown that is the direct result of the Government’s transition policy simply shifts costs to the workers and their families.

“We continue to see Collie and its’ coal industry struggling to cope with the Government’s transition plan” Dr Thomas said.

“When Labor Party announced the transition plan in 2022 it delivered an inevitable decline in the coal industry and job losses.

“We are now seeing the result of that announcement play out, with more job losses and economic pain to come over the next three years.

“As we do so, it is unacceptable that workers and their families carry the burden and the economic cost.

“The decision to shutdown Premier Coal while the stockpiles are high and demand is low might have been inevitable, but that was a company decision that resulted from a Government policy.

“The families of Collie and surrounds should not be paying the cost.”