It may seem contradictory, but the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has explained that an increase in wages in the resources sector might lead to a shortage of skilled workers.
Workers on the Gorgon gas project will see salaries increase to over $150,000 per year. However, they will have to work 70 hours a week and for 29 days in a row before being able to have a nine day break.
With harsh working conditions, the Construction Union has no doubt that the workers deserve the pay increase, but fears that many will eventually leave their jobs.
The same opinion is shared by the Master Builders Association (MBA). MBA’s Kim Richardson also mentioned that this situation can lead to higher house prices. “When our industry trains these young skilled workers to be tradespeople, as soon as they've finished their apprenticeship they're off up north, to get paid, let's face it, $2500 to $3000 a week, much more attractive than staying in Perth."
The Chamber of Commerce is predicting that Western Australia will have a shortage of 400,000 workers over the next seven years.
