Hunter Workers is set to rally at Cessnock this weekend following the release of a Senate inquiry report, which found job insecurity had reached a “crisis point”.

Senator Tony Sheldon, who chaired the Senate Select Committee on Job Security, will speak at the gathering at HJ Sternbeck Park on Vincent Street, from 10.30am, on Saturday 19 February.

The report revealed the number and proportion of Australians forced to work multiple jobs was at an all-time high, as workers struggled to find secure positions that would ensure them adequate hours per week.

Two in five roles created since initial 2020 lockdowns have been for people holding more than one job, a vast amount of which were casual.

Many Australians who lost their previously secure jobs or who temporarily dropped out of the workforce overwhelmingly saw themselves returning to casualised work.

More than one in four workers are now in insecure jobs, leaving them with no access to sick leave, annual leave or other basic entitlements.

The year thus far has seen teachers, transport workers, nurses, paramedics and midwives striking in response to various grievances, with insecure work playing a common theme alongside inadequate pay rises, poor working conditions and staff shortages.

“At least 2.5 million Australians want and need more work and, consequently, are being forced to work multiple jobs or live in poverty,” Hunter Workers secretary Leigh Shears said.

“Yet the Morrison government continues to ignore the insecure work crisis, instead bragging about unemployment figures that no longer paint an accurate picture of Australia’s current workforce conditions.

“Under-employment is higher than ever, likewise the number of Australians holding multiple jobs.

“Insecure work is linked to a multitude of issues Australians are facing today: low wage growth, poor mental health, poverty, gender inequality and the persisting gender pay gap; the list goes on.

“We need politicians who’ll fight for secure jobs – and a government whose priority is improving the lives of working Australians.

“It is vital we call on politicians to make insecure work a key focus in the 2022 election.

“So, we are inviting all Hunter workers to join us and have their voice heard.”

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