SYDNEY: Retrenched workers from wholesale group Pacific Brands have accused the federal government of not doing enough to protect their jobs.
Speaking during a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday (May 6), Kayser employee Robyn Campbell said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had gone back on his promise to save Australian jobs.
"Kevin Rudd you promised us in the elections when you were running that you would save the jobs of Australian workers. You're all talk. I want to see action now. I'm losing my job. You made a promise to us. Stick by it."
Fellow worker Don Pisani, who works for the group's Holeproof label, also said the government had not done enough to ensure Pacific Brands could continue to manufacture in Australia.
"Once we had our termination notices, the government quickly jumped in and criticised the [Pac Brands] board but at the same time it brought out a free trade agreement with Asian countries [making it easier to cheaper to import clothing from other countries]. Once these jobs are gone from Australia, that's it, they're not coming back."
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) national secretary Michele O'Neil said the government must provide financial help for the industry in next week's federal Budget.
She then reiterated the union's call for the government to commit to buying only Australia-made uniforms for its employees.
"We're calling on them to announce next week in the federal budget a comprehensive strategy to save jobs in this industry and we have a practical way in which they can do it. That is government procurement. It is a real tangible, economic lever that the government can use to save jobs for the Pacific Brands workers but also for thousands of other TCF workers in this country."
O'Neil said there was much evidence to suggest that - even when times are good - most employees that lost their jobs in the TCF sector never worked again.
"The workers with me today from Pacific Brands are hardworking, loyal, skilled workers. They want to see that there's a future for them continuing to work in Australia. They don't want to become part of the unemployment statistics."
For more read the May 22 issue of Ragtrader.