PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian resources sector and worker unions have banded together amid the Covid-19 outbreak, agreeing to a range of protocols to keep both workers and sites safe.

In a joint statement, the Australian Workers Union (AWU), the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) pointed out that the resources sector and its supply chain employs more than one-million Australians, and is responsible for around 60% of Australia’s export income.

Mining also makes a major socioeconomic contribution to Australian communities through partnerships and local services.

“No aspect of Australian social life or the economy, including the mining industry, will remain unaffected by the measures taken to keep the community safe from Covid-19. Yet mining needs to keep operating because Australia needs the income and economic activity generated by our sector to fund initiatives for the benefit of all Australians,” the statement read.

The three parties have called for existing models of employment such as fly in, fly out (FIFO) and drive in, drive out (DIDO) to be maintained, provided the safety and wellbeing of mineworkers and local communities is not compromised.

However, they have agreed that a range of protocols should be implemented, including strict measures to minimise the risk of workers being exposed to Covid-19 in mining workplaces, strict processes for encouraging self-isolation by workers, and comprehensive systems to manage any positive Covid-19 tests for workers at a mine site or who have been at a mine site, which would only involve quarantine at mine sites in exceptional circumstances.

The parties have also agreed on the necessity of appropriate travel and accommodation conditions for FIFO and DIDO workers and education and communication with workers and local communities.

The MCA and resources unions also agreed to work together to minimise any long-term job losses in the industry as a result of Covid-19 and noted that employers are meeting medical costs associated with Covid-19 testing for workers.

“The adoption of these policies will ensure that when Australia emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, a strong mining sector and a safe and healthy workforce will ensure Australia’s speedy economic recovery is delivered for the benefit of all Australians,” the three said in a statement.