Cleaners, nurses, call centre operators and supermarket workers are in high demand as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through Australia.
Almost 90,000 Australians lost their jobs on Monday as the government moved to shut all pubs, bars, cinemas and gyms in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Qantas was also forced to lay off two thirds of their 30,000 staff members last Thursday due to restrictions on international travel.
But the pandemic has led to increased demand in some industries, with companies desperately advertising for new workers.
Mining giant BHP is preparing to recruit at least 1,500 short-term workers for the company’s coal, copper and iron ore operations in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
Telstra is hiring 1,000 new employees for their call centres. ‘In these extraordinary times, it is in the national interest for every company and individual to play a part in ensuring Australia comes through as strongly as possible,’ CEO Andrew Penn said
The roles include machinery and production operators, truck drivers, mechanics, electricians, boilermakers, cleaners and warehouse roles.
‘We are stepping up and providing jobs and contracts,’ BHP acting minerals Australia president Edgar Basto said in a statement.
‘Our suppliers, large and small, play a critical role in supporting our operations. It is a tough time for our communities and the economy, we must look out for each other as we manage through this together.’
Telstra is also hiring 1,000 new employees for their call centres.
‘In these extraordinary times, it is in the national interest for every company and individual to play a part in ensuring Australia comes through as strongly as possible,’ CEO Andrew Penn said on Friday.
‘We will be adding to our team to help manage call centre volumes and better serve our customers during this time, by recruiting an additional 1000 temporary contractors in Australia.’
Last Monday, Coles announced 5,000 job vacancies due to coronavirus
Last Monday, Coles announced 5,000 job vacancies due to coronavirus panic buying.
The supermarket giant has struggled to keep shelves stocked as shoppers continue to hoard goods amid fears the country could be put into lockdown.
‘To help us continue to offer the best possible service to customers during this busy time, Coles is recruiting more than 5000 casual team members to work in supermarkets across Australia,’ Coles said on Monday March 16.
‘This will allow us to serve more customers and replenish shelves faster, while offering employment opportunities for Australians working in other industries impacted by COVID-19.’
The country’s largest union, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), on Wednesday urged the government to commit to employing nursing graduates in a desperate attempt to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘As frontline workers, nurses, midwives and carers understand how the rapid spread of COVID-19 is placing enormous strain on the health and aged care systems right now and in the months to come,’ ANMF Acting Federal Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp said.
The country’s largest union, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), on Wednesday urged the government to commit to employing nursing graduates (stock image)
‘Engaging international students should only be one part of the solution. It will be essential that students feel confident and have sufficient training to deal with this pandemic. They must work under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse at all times.
‘With more than 2,500 Australian nursing graduates unemployed, the government should genuinely give them the first opportunity to be employed, before taking the option of recruiting international nursing students. We have unemployed graduates who are out there and willing to work.’
The coronavirus pandemic has also led to a surge in jobs for professional cleaners.
Hela Mejri, the operations manager of Cleancorp, told SBS there had been a distinct change in the number of hours they work.
‘It’s been very busy, we jumped from working eight hours a day to almost 24 hours, seven days a week,’ she said.
Australians who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis lined up at Centrelink from 4.30am on Tuesday.
Centrelink offices don’t open until at least 8.30am, meaning they’re prepared to wait four hours to speak to a teller.
The coronavirus pandemic has also led to a surge in jobs for professional cleaners (stock image)
The MyGov online portal crashed on Monday after it was overwhelmed by newly-unemployed Australians, many of whom were making their first approach to Centrelink.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said no one could have predicted the spike in the level of demand, even though the government shut down a number of industries to combat the spread of the virus.
‘We clearly understand the distress that this coronavirus is causing,’ she told Nine’s Today show.
The government is now appealing to people trying to register with Centrelink to hold off for a few days.
‘We are asking for patience and calm … What we saw yesterday was heartbreaking,’ Senator Ruston said.
There was no excuse for what happened, Senator Ruston said.
Centrelink will boost its workforce by 5000 people to deal with the influx of applicants and extend call centre hours.