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Unions question jobs focus as Albemarle hits back at claims

Jacinta Cantatore and Tari JeffersHarvey-Waroona Reporter
Global lithium giant Albemarle has hit back at trade union claims South West workers are not being given opportunities for stable and safe work conditions.
Camera IconGlobal lithium giant Albemarle has hit back at trade union claims South West workers are not being given opportunities for stable and safe work conditions.

Global lithium giant Albemarle has hit back at trade union claims South West workers are not being given opportunities for stable and safe work conditions.

The union claims came to a head on Wednesday when about 100 protesters turned out to the Albemarle lithium plant site under construction at Kemerton Industrial Park.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Electrical Trades Union and Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union members were joined by South West residents and businesses in a bid to secure local jobs and working conditions.

AMWU State secretary Steve McCartney said Albemarle had refused to negotiate with the community since construction began earlier this year.

“We support a thriving lithium industry, but we fear Albemarle isn’t going to provide the South West the lithium boom it deserves, these jobs should not go to outside business and FIFO workers,” Mr McCartney said.

“The difficulty we’ve got is that they came out here selling this whole job as being the answer for the South West,” Mr McCartney said.

“(But) they’ve come out here to the South West and turned it into Kalgoorlie, where they give you low rates, lots of hours and hope you think you’re a millionaire.”

An Albemarle spokesman said the company complied with Australian safety and remuneration regulations and the Australian Jobs Act.

“Albemarle operates its Kemerton site in full compliance with workplace safety standards and we offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our employees,” the spokesman said.

“Albemarle is a global employer that is seeking to attract a world-class workforce from the South West region to support the Kemerton lithium operation.”

Yet Mr McCartney said local businesses had already lost contracts to companies outside the South West.

“Albemarle should be working with the community to ensure it has a secure workforce, not bussed-in labour hire,” Mr McCartney said.

But the Albemarle spokesman strongly refuted this claim, saying well over half of the plant’s contracts had been taken up by South West companies.

“Early contract awards for the Kemerton lithium project have included some of WA’s well-known local construction and fabricating companies,” he said.

“At this time, more than 70 per cent of Albemarle’s current operational workforce is employed from the South West region, and we expect the percentage of local workforce to increase as production begins.”

“We are committed to engaging South West business to ensure our investment in Australia benefits our local communities,” he said.

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