Jobs to rise but row on security

Confidence in employment growth but workers protest casualisation

CAIRNS’ employment outlook has been given a vote of confidence by one of the nation’s biggest real estate companies as unions kick off a campaign highlighting the scourge of casual work in the region.

A handful of people turned out to a rally outside Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch’s office yesterday which Queensland Council of Unions Cairns branch president Rob Hill said was all about raising awareness throughout the community of a rise in insecure work.

“The scourge of casualisation is in industries like retail and tourism but it is even creeping into jobs that are not going away, that are not seasonal,” he said.

“Employers are just using them to drive down wages and conditions.

“People are genuinely scared if they speak up they won’t get the job.”

But Mr Entsch said the protest was “more about politics than policy”.

“That is certainly an impact on some people but there are a hell of a lot of people out there and that’s what they choose to do, they don’t want to work full-time,” he said. Mr Entsch also blasted organisers for just seeking media attention, saying demonstrators “only lasted as long as the cameras”.

First National Real Estate chief executive Ray Ellis backed up Mr Entsch’s view with his belief the city’s housing affordability and lifestyle was contributing to a “confident and stable property market” which was attracting workers.

“Cairns provides plenty of employment options in the tourism and hospitality industry,” he said.

“These two industries are major contributors to the Cairns economy, providing the flexibility for full time and part-time employees, which is very attractive to young families as well as young adults seeking their first jobs.”