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Essential workers are facing a health emergency.
We need the NSW Government to step up and support the workers who keep our state running. Sign the petition to send a message from AMWU members that COVID-19 is a workplace health and safety issue and workers need more support.
1. The deadline for authorised workers to be vaccinated is unworkable
The vaccination requirement for authorised workers should be removed.
Workers have been placed in an uncertain position because of the NSW Government’s failure to appropriately manage the pandemic and isolate affected workers early with support. The Federal Government’s complete bungle of the vaccine rollout has also helped get us to this point. Government failures shouldn’t cost us our jobs.
2. Expand free rapid antigen testing
Workplace rapid antigen testing must be widely implemented. If we can’t identify, isolate, and support people with COVID-19 then we will continue to see higher case number and ICU admissions.
Rapid antigen testing costs should be covered by Medicare and the tests should be made available in pharmacies, workplaces, and community pop-up hubs as necessary. Workers need to be supported financially if affected.
Rapid antigen testing used in conjunction with PCR tests, has been shown to significantly increase early detection and reduce transmission.
3. More financial assistance to keep workers safe
The NSW Government’s Test-and-Isolate payment must be expanded across the state, and paid test-and-isolate leave introduced. We cannot afford more outbreaks - supporting workers and their families throughout isolation is critical to stopping transmission.
