The Guardian 23 January, 2008
Cheap guest workers
won’t fix Tasmanian tourism
Tasmanian Tourism Council Chief Simon Currant’s call to import Asian workers will not solve the complex problems of Tasmania’s hospitality industry says the LHMU, the hospitality union.
"We believe importing unskilled guest workers is a short-term fix aimed at covering up years of poverty wages and industry inaction by getting somebody else to fix the problem," says David O’Byrne, LHMU Tasmanian Branch Secretary.
"To say people don’t want to work in hospitality because Australians like their weekends is offensive. People don’t want to work in the hospitality industry because it is low paid and it is dangerous. It’s worth noting the mining industry seems to have no problems getting people to work on weekends."
The union says labour and skills shortage in hospitality is the direct result of the industry’s failure to invest in their people. The hospitality industry has the highest proportion of low wage workers and it has the second highest injury rate of all industries, second only to construction.
The sector is also plagued by Australia’s highest labour turnover figures, chronic labour market shortages, and a crippling deficit in skills and experience. Labour shortages mean workloads are consistently increasing and are beyond what can be considered healthy and sustainable.
In addition the sector receives significant government investment in marketing and infrastructure. This taxpayer investment is appropriate where the industry is working hard to develop into a mature, stable and strong performing sector of the economy. However, the union points out that this is not happening in the Australian hospitality sector, which has failed to deliver on the twin promises of good jobs and stable economic returns.
"The ‘it’s all too hard’ line from sections of the industry does not cut it any more. It’s time for the tourism industry to act like a major industry player," said Mr O’Byrne.
"Tasmania should not be taking the low road but should be taking the high road by investing in their staff and building decent, safe jobs to ensure the integrity and good name of the Quality Tasmanian brand are sound and that the industry can thrive.
"The LHMU acknowledges there is a skill shortage and will, in consultation with industry, look at options for skilled migration as a short-term solution when the industry itself begins to address its fundamental problems in the medium to long term.
"The LHMU calls for genuine industry leadership."