GDP continues to recover according to data released this morning by the ABS, but millions of workers are still dealing with the fallout of the pandemic recession – just over 2 million are either unemployed or looking for more hours, and around 1.3 million are still reliant on JobKeeper.
Millions of working people are still struggling to find enough work to live or are facing an uncertain future once the Morrison Government ends JobKeeper at the end of March.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President Michele O’Neil:
“Despite strong growth in the last two quarters GDP is still down 1.1 per cent on the year, and this economic recovery is not making a difference in the lives of the millions of workers who are still struggling to make ends meet.
“The recovery is also uneven. Sectors like tourism, higher education and parts of manufacturing are still hurting badly and a full recovery is a distant prospect. They need ongoing support.
“A recovery must be driven by wage growth for working people. Money in the hands of workers is essential for small businesses, as well as workers and their families and should be the first priority of the federal Government.
“Instead of rebuilding a more resilient economy with more secure jobs and stronger wage growth, the Morrison Government’s IR Omnibus Bill is an attack on the basic rights of working people which would make it even harder to win pay rises.”
