Where are the job seekers?

THE Far North has high unemployment, mainly due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Figures vary from about 5.7 per cent, 11 per cent or as high as 25 per cent, depending on analysis of volatile ABS statistics.

All business are hurting, especially tourism-related and there are thousands out of work.

Many are on JobKeeper or JobSeeker payments.

Fortunately some companies with large numbers of staff are starting to reopen, including the Reef Hotel Casino, and hotels are adding workers as holiday bookings ramp up and more flights arrive in Cairns from within Australia and across the state.

An Innisfail employer is astounded that he cannot find a qualified mechanic.

New Life Metal Recycling managing director Jack Thompson has been advertising for a mechanic for the past three weeks with no luck.

He has had three responses in total – all from unqualified backpackers.

Mr Thompson says he is prepared to pay top money.

He says it is an easy job with no thinking required.

“You can just pull things apart all day, you don’t have to deal with customers and you can get all the free parts you want.”

But is it a case of there being no qualified mechanics available in the market or lazy people living on easy JobKeeper money?

Seek has at least 11 mechanic vacancies on its books in the Cairns postcode area.

Or is it a situation of someone not wanting to live and work in Innisfail?

It doesn’t make sense when there are people desperate for work.

Nick Dalton

Deputy editor