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CFMEU NSW statement on construction reopening on 11 August

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Wentworth Falls, N.S.W., Aug. 9, 2021 /Medianet/ --

CFMEU NSW statement on construction reopening on 11 August

Statement from Darren Greenfield, CFMEU NSW Construction Division Secretary

Unions and industry have been meeting constantly with the NSW Government to encourage them to get construction back up and running across the whole of Greater Sydney, including in locked down LGAs and suburbs. There had already been some resumption outside of locked down LGAs.

This advocacy has pushed the Berejiklian Government to open all construction at 50% of peak onsite capacity from Wednesday 11 August.

Under the government's plan, construction workers from locked-down LGAs and suburbs will be required to have received at least one vaccination as a condition of their return to work.

The CFMEU NSW has consistently argued that vaccinations should be a matter of personal choice rather than a mandatory requirement for construction workers from locked down LGAs and surrounding suburbs.

Construction is an industry that understands how to manage risk and we have proven over 18 months that we can stay safe and minimise the risk of exposure on sites by adopting stringent Covid-safe measures.

The industry has put in place upgraded and enhanced safety measures, such as staggered start, finish and break times, social distancing on sites, enhanced cleaning and hygiene practices, mandatory face masks on sites, and elevated testing regimes.

The union supports public health initiatives to bring the NSW outbreak under control. If the government is serious about increasing vaccination rates, they need to make vaccines available to everyone who wants one and back it up with a clear and consistent public information campaign so workers can make an informed and confident choice.

Workers continue to pay the price for the bungled vaccine rollout, mixed messaging on vaccine safety and ongoing failure by the State and Federal Governments to give people the accurate information they need to make their own health choices.

Construction workers will be prioritised for vaccination at a dedicated clinic to be hosted at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday 15 August. To book go to: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Contact: John Kelly 0407 071 703

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