Jules, Chef, 34.
As casual my shifts have been reduced – I have gone from 26 hours to 12. I really need the hours as I’m currently doing my masters and I don’t receive student benefits. I can’t rely on my partner for financial support because he too is casual, and his hours have also been reduced.
Fortunately, my workplace has decided to remain open for now. Our General Manager has put in place health and safety posters issued by the Victorian Government instructing how to prevent transmission of Co-vid19 and maintain good hygiene. However, there has been no discussion with casuals about what their options are.
This week I had to cancel one of the shifts because I woke up with a sore throat. I spent the morning in debate myself as to whether I should stay at home or risk my health and my colleagues in order to earn $160. I hate that I have to make these decisions because it makes me feel guilty for wanting money over doing the right thing. I don’t know if I can afford to keep making the right decision.
I think ultimately, my partner and I will be ok – as we have safety nets and only have to look out for each other.
However, I’m really concerned about my colleagues who are:
- Single women in their 50s who are casual and are also the carers of their parents. When their shifts are cut, they cannot afford to pay bills or provide for their love ones. This pushes them to make decisions that compromises both their health and their parents.
- Kiwi. Not many Australians know that Kiwis don’t have access to welfare. They are treated like other immigrants.
- On working visas, my friends’ shifts are being cut and they have no safety net let alone family members who can support them. Many of the countries they’re from are already in lock down so getting access to money and other resources is pretty much impossible right now.
It’s really frustrating that my workplace hasn’t really discussed with any of their workers what their options are and if the venue can provide support. Everything seems to be so up in the air, which I understand as these are unprecedented times but several plans of attack could, at the very least, be discussed.
