Dozens of workers at a remote iron ore mine in the Northern Territory have been stood down without pay, angering unions who say employees have gone weeks without wages.
In a letter seen by the ABC, Nathan River Resources (NRR) informed staff on Good Friday that workers at the Roper Bar site would be stood down, due to the fuel crisis impacting the operation.
“As you are aware, the current fuel crisis is impacting on our operations and has resulted in you being unable to perform your duties,” it read.
Electrical Trades Union NT organiser David Hayes told the Country Hour the situation had been deteriorating for weeks, and downplayed the impact of fuel shortages.
He said more than 40 workers had been impacted at the site, 600 kilometres south east of Darwin.
“I reckon that’s a load of rubbish, that excuse,” he said.
“Superannuation hasn’t been payed, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, across the workforce.