Wharfies at DP World terminal in Melbourne were stood down on March 30 after refusing to unload a container vessel on safety grounds. The container vessel docked in breach of the federal government鈥檚 14-day coronavirus quarantine period.
Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) assistant national secretary that to unload Xin da Lian would breach the coronavirus quarantine period and was too great a risk.
鈥淭he largest cluster of COVID-19 cases in Australia 鈥 which has already claimed several lives and caused hundreds of illnesses 鈥 was the result of inadequate measures put in place for the arrival of ships. What鈥檚 the difference with this ship?鈥 Smith said.
鈥淲harfies don鈥檛 want to see a repeat of that blunder on the waterfront, but we still see ships allowed to dock inside of quarantine periods,鈥 Smith said.
He added waterfront workers understand they have an important role to play during the COVID-19 crisis, but that should not include breaching the quarantine period.
The union is also calling for a suite of measures to protect workers and the community, and to keep supply chains operating.
Smith said any COVID-19 outbreak on the waterfront 鈥渨ould have a devastating impact on Australia鈥檚 supply chain given that 98% of imports arrive by sea鈥.
鈥淚t is vital we do everything possible to protect workers, including testing, physical distancing measures on the job, strong hygiene, cleaning, personal protection equipment and every other level of support available.
鈥淚t is irresponsible not to take the strongest measures to protect the workforce, which is providing basic needs for the community.鈥
Smith said the union had been working with employers on a framework for up-to-date health advice to protect workers and ensure the resilience of maritime supply chains. However, employers have refused to engage with the union, he said, 鈥済oing it alone and looking to opportunistically enact essential services legislation鈥.
鈥淭he MUA has been demanding improvements to biosecurity measures since January, and we will continue to fight for strict enforcement of quarantine periods, more proactive biosecurity measures, testing for workers and crew of international vessels arriving in Australian ports and support for sick crew members,鈥 said Smith.