The “COVID-19” crisis: Reveals the high-priority of Australia’s aluminium supply chain

The Australian Aluminium Council and Australian Workers Union is anxious that any reduction of the crucial workers that strikes on the aluminium industry’s complex supply chain, in regards to shutdown measures, perils the permanent close-down of alumina refineries and aluminium smelters across the nation and losing thousands of jobs.

The integrated aluminium industry is unique and indispensable in Australia. This is by grasping the whole chain from bauxite mining to alumina refinery to aluminium smelters and also the holding the contractors for essential supplies and services.

The temporary shut-down in any unit of this supply chain turns out uncertainty in alumina refineries and thus hits out at the aluminium smelters. This can move towards the permanent closure of these operations. The biggest problem the industry faces while turning off, that it becomes the toughest job to bring it on and this created capital havoc and jobs catastrophe for regional economy and communities of Australia.

The aluminium smelters play a crucial part in the solidity of the power grid at both the ends, during low and high demand, as it minimises the blackout crisis. The Australian aluminium smelter always works in close hands with Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to safeguard the continuation of supply.

The Australian aluminium industry representatives have urged: “The state and federal governments to maintain a broad definition of essential workers in manufacturing during the COVID 19 crisis, echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiment that every Australian employed in this economy is an essential worker.”

The aluminium industries have been employing approx. 14,500 workers in the nation and delivers income to another 40,000 families in Australia.

Health and safety have been kept as the most important factor for both employers and unions and it has never been more important than in these unprecedented times. All sites have introduced additional measures to increase physical distancing, split shifts and maintain high hygiene standards, to mitigate the risk of COVID 19 infections to employees.

Additionally, the support staffs have been working at home, or in rotating teams, since the first signs of this COVID-19 crisis emerged.

The Aluminium Council and the Australian Workers’ Union call on State and Federal Governments to exempt the aluminium industry from any shutdown measures while implementing all the safety standards.