‘I can’t afford to eat’: Tradies beg ‘useless’ Dan Andrews to keep the construction industry running – saying they could be left homeless if work shuts down due to coronavirus lockdown
- Tradesmen fear they could lose their homes due to brutal new restrictions
- The rule will kick three out of four people off major building sites on Saturday
- Negotiations are underway with the state government to free up restrictions
A Victorian tradesman has begged Premier Daniel Andrews to let him work as draconian Stage 4 restrictions threaten to kick him off the worksite.
Melbourne is set to impose a 25 per cent rule on Saturday that will kick three out of four people off the job on major construction sites, as it struggles to slow the rampant spread of COVID-19.
Small sites will be limited to a maximum of five workers and one supervisor – with specialist tradesmen only able to visit three sites a week.
The move has left tradesman across the state fearing they will be unable to pay their mortgage or feed their families during the strict Stage 4 lockdown.
One tradesman was left furious by the blanket rule and said has no idea how he will support his family without a job.
‘I’ve got no job on Monday, we’ll see how it goes… I’ve got a mortgage, kids, the whole lot’ he told A Current Affair.
‘The big dog upstairs (Dan Andrews) just letting us down once again, he’s useless.’
One tradesmen (pictured) said he had no job to go to on Monday due to the 25 per cent rule and has no idea how he will pay his mortgage or feed his children
Project supervisor Lee, 26, recently purchased his own home but has now had his hours cut back drastically and has been forced to turn to JobKeeper.
‘I might not be able to eat after I pay my mortgage, I’ve got a car I pay for as well,’ he said.
‘Very stressful, lots of sleepless nights and I’m not the only one I’m sure of it.’
Rebecca Casson, president of the Master Builders Association of Victoria said many project managers are concerned they will not even be able to function to such low level staff.
Project supervisor Lee, 26, (pictured) recently purchased his own home and said he has no idea if he’ll even be able to eat after paying for his mortgage
Ms Casson is in deep negotiations with the Victorian government to free up restrictions, and said initial signs of flexibility were encouraging.
‘It’s been really encouraging to see a willingness from the state government to find some workable solutions for our industry,’ she said.
‘Our industry accounts for 45 per cent of the state’s tax revenue so this scaling back with have an impact on our community.’
Rebecca Casson, president of the Master Builders Association of Victoria said initial negotiations with the state government was encouraging (pictured, Melbourne tradesmen)
Victoria’s premier announced the brutal new restriction on Monday and said he knew he was asking for a heavy sacrifice form the state’s people.
‘Our construction sector, the lifeblood of our economy, will also move to pilot light levels,’ Mr Andrews said.
‘This will allow the industry to keep ticking — while also making sure we limit the number of people onsite.’
Ms Casson said their has been some important clarifications since the announcement that will allow tradesmen to move more freely.
But for now many tradesmen will be left wondering if they have a job to turn to on Monday if the restrictions stay in place.
With negotiations still hanging in the air many tradesmen will not know if they even have a job on Monday (pictured, a Melbourne construction site)