Queries as plasterers flee

SOME overseas workers underpaid while working as contractors on the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment have fled the state as John Holland conducts an audit into their documentation.

About 45 of the plasterers were handed a $2000 “emergency payment” yesterday after downing tools earlier in the week following several weeks’ alleged underpayment from Melbourne-based subcontractor Accuracy Interiors.

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union organiser Kevin Harkins said he alerted managing contractor John Holland to potential issues “weeks ago” and called “bulls..t” on the Government’s claim that the contractor was unaware of the problem before Thursday.

Asked about the union’s allegation the company had been told of the problem, a John Holland-Fairbrother Joint Venture spokeswoman said: “We are taking all steps to investigate claims from workers employed by one of our subcontractors on the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment.”

Premier Will Hodgman said he had no idea of the problem before Thursday, but “as to any time anyone else heard about it, that’s not a matter for me to speculate about that”.

“We’ll make inquiries as to the background circumstances of this, including which point in time government would be made aware, and respond accordingly.”

Health Minister Michael Ferguson on Thursday said he had found out about the issue that day.

Mr Harkins said some workers had been paid as little as $16 an hour, about half the legal wage. He said he believed workers who were in breach of their visa conditions would likely not return to Tasmania but that those who had stayed were in safe accommodation.

Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment co-ordinator Ben Moloney said developers had taken action as soon as they knew of the problem and that workers would be back onsite by Tuesday.

“I can’t comment on [how the anomalies] came about at this stage, that’s an investigation that’s ongoing,” he said.

“Verification of the value and payment of all outstanding entitlements is anticipated no later than Monday.”

Labor health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the issue exposed further cracks in the Liberals’ health portfolio.

“I find it hard to believe [Mr Ferguson has] had a close eye but has failed to see what is happening under his watch to these workers who have been shamefully exploited,” she said.

The Government has said there would be no delay to the broader RHH project.

Accuracy Interiors was contacted for comment.