APRIL 14, 2022 – Scott Morrison owes workers at Rheem an apology after using them on Monday as the backdrop to his announcement of job creation despite more than 100 of their jobs at the Western Sydney factory being at risk when the company offshores part of its operations, says the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU).
When questioned about the job cuts yesterday, Mr Morrison was dismissive in his response that it was “for Rheem to outline their future plans.”
Australian manufacturing jobs have become less secure and at greater risk since Scott Morrison became prime minister, and the future of local industries cannot be left up to the private sector alone, says the AMWU.
Australia ranks last in the OECD for manufacturing self-sufficiency.
Quotes attributable to AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy:
“The Prime Minister needs to explain to manufacturing workers across the country what a re-elected Morrison government would to do support the creation of secure jobs in their industries.
“It’s an absolute insult to use workers for photo ops to boast of jobs when the workers standing behind you are actually at risk of losing their jobs.
“Our members tell us that they’re worried about increased pressures of cost of living and the lack of job security, and so far they haven’t heard anything from Morrison about his plans to fix either.
“It’s no wonder he’s getting reamed by members of the public, workers are sick of oft-repeated announcements that don’t come with any action to support Aussie made.
“We should be building our submarines, our wind towers, and our hot water heaters in Australia, but under a re-elected Morrison government, we won’t be.”