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The Australian resources industry
currently directly employs around 140,000 people nationwide, and accounts
for a large proportion of employment in many regional and remote Australian
townships. Indirectly, the industry accounts for approximately 300,000
jobs. Production is often based predominantly in regional and rural areas
given the nature of the industry. AMMA supports employers in the industry
to engage, maintain and develop the members of their workforces, and
achieve the wide production goals of the industry within a safe and
rewarding work environment.
Challenges
The continued growth of mining operations
nation-wide has
the ability to significantly impact on Australia’s rural communities, and
bring important economic and social benefits.
However, AMMA members face a number of challenges
directly related to the operation of regional work sites:
- Often remote and
isolated work sites
- Sparsely
populated regional townships
- Fly-In Fly-Out
operations (FIFO) requiring long absences from home and families
- Compressed roster
arrangements requiring long shifts
- Difficulties
attracting new entrants to the industry
- Broad based
labour and skills shortages
Industry Initiatives
Given the ongoing challenges the mining
industry faces, AMMA recognises the need to facilitate improvements to
industry recruitment and retention rates, and is committed to a best
practice Employee Relations framework. AMMA supports industry employers to
develop and provide fair and flexible working conditions for all employees,
and together with its member companies, supports industry initiatives
designed to achieve these goals.
Initiatives of the industry have
included:
- A commitment to
indigenous and female employment opportunities and their associated benefits
- A commitment to
the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity
- Support for local
communities, business and common infrastructure
- A commitment to
health and safety principles of the highest level
Community Support
The Australian mining industry strongly
supports local and regional communities by a commitment to improvements in
community infrastructure. Such strategies are closely aligned with policies
and practices aimed to achieve to the sustainable development of regional
communities and alleviate the economic, social and environmental impact of
both existing and proposed mining operations.
Strategies include:
- Improved
education, health systems, child care support and sporting facilities
- Education and
Training at different levels
- Improved road and
infrastructure facilities
- Long term water
supplies
- High quality and
reasonably priced utilities such as electricity, water and
telecommunications
Indigenous Employment
Indigenous Australians are one of the
most underrepresented groups in the Australian workforce, yet enjoy
significant representation in the mining sector. The Australian resources
sector hopes to maintain and improve upon the number of indigenous
Australians employed within the industry.
Consequently, AMMA supports the
collaboration and partnership between its member companies and indigenous
communities based on mutual respect and shared responsibilities. The
industry is committed to the sustainable development of all economic,
social and institutional aspects of indigenous individuals, families and
communities. It aims to improve upon levels of employment, education and
support and create indigenous communities which enjoy life beyond mining.
Industry employers hope to achieve these
goals through a range of means, some of which include:
- Increased
employment opportunities
- Improved
education and skills training
- Cross-cultural
education, family and community awareness
- Pre-employment
programs and career development
- Mentoring and
monitoring
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