The TRMC States Critical Worker Case for Industry

The Real Media Collective has called on the National Cabinet to acknowledge and include the overall industry and its workers in its determination of essential service guidelines and protocols for exempting isolating employees.

This would ensure vaccinated asymptomatic workers could attend work where necessary and agreed. Since Christmas, supply chain and essential service stresses have increased due to a significant number of workers across all industries having to isolate for seven days or longer who have been considered ‘close contacts’ under the various state public health orders.

“Given the effects of the Omicron variant on the national workforce, particularly in the supply chain of critical goods and services, the Collective has called on the National Cabinet to include our industry in determining essential services and functions and related workers. Our industry is an essential service and supply chain provider across the Australian economy,” commented Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer, The Real Media Collective.

“The Collective has worked hard over the last two years to ensure governments at all levels recognise this fact. This has generally ensured our members and the greater industry have been able to remain open for business even during lockdown periods,” added Northwood.

“If an isolating worker is deemed critical for operations, and is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, industry members need to have the option available to discuss the appropriateness of that worker leaving isolation and returning to work under strict health and safety protocols. Through implementing the Printing and Distribution Protocols developed by the Collective in 2020 and updated last year, our industry has managed the health and safety of its workforce and minimised any risks.

Government needs to recognise this fact and include our industry in its deliberations on these issues.” concluded Northwood.

The National Cabinet was established on 13 March 2020 and comprised the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders. The National Cabinet’s priority is to respond to the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is intended as a platform for leaders to collaboratively address issues of national significance.