A group of Australian construction workers has sparked public anger by appearing to do little more than watch another tradie work while they stand around being paid.
The video, originally recorded in 2019 but resurfaced this week, shows at least eight-night workers observing a colleague as he operates a digger to excavate a hole in the middle of the road.
Social media users erupted about their ‘tax dollars hard at work’ on the group gathered around a hold – with many joking about the amount of money each worker was likely paid.
‘They will be getting double time for working at night too,’ one observer quipped.
‘Since this is Australia, the person holding the sign is earning 120k plus,’ a second joked.
But some Aussies were quick to defend the workers.
Aussies are frustrated at road workers ‘standing around’ while they get paid high wages (pictured the video of the workers posted on social media)
‘There are safety issues that people who don’t have that kind of job don’t know about,’ one wrote.
Others pointed out the image likely didn’t represent the full scale of works the team had performed.
The controversial photo follows revelations that construction workers, including on-site traffic controllers, are among the highest-paid roles in Victoria.
Traffic controllers working on major infrastructure projects in the state are earning more than $200,000 a year.
The pay deal struck by the powerful Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union applies to stop-and-go sign holders on Victoria’s ‘Big Build’ projects, which former premier Dan Andrews spearheaded.
The yearly salary is nearly three times what the average nurse, teacher or police officer earns.
Traffic controllers on Victoria’s Big Build road and rail projects are earning $200K salaries under pay deals struck by the CFMEU (file image)
An entry-level construction worker or traffic controller aligned with the CFMEU on a Big Build project would earn $206,000 a year if they worked 56-hour weeks for 48 weeks of the year.
The salary includes site and travel allowances, overtime, and meal penalties.
A graduate teacher in Victoria by comparison earns $77,000, a police constable earns $75,000, and a registered nurse would earn between $75,000 and $85,000.
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