NATIONAL resource industry employer group AREEA will work with the Western Australian Government and industry stakeholders following today’s recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into mental health impacts of fly-in, fly-out working arrangements.
The WA Education and Health Standing Committee today outlined 42 findings and 30 recommendations in its final report: The impact of FIFO work practices on mental health.
“The resource industry is committed to the health and safety of its workforce, and continues to invest in best-practice programs and services to support employee mental health and wellbeing,” says AREEA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.
“The findings in today’s report reflect challenges the industry has recognised and engaged with for some time. This includes the reality that, as is the case for all industries and communities, some employees in the resource industry can experience mental illness.
“It is vitally important that all stakeholders engage in sensible discussions on how to effectively address the complex issues covered in today’s report, particularly given the lack of sufficient data to make reliable conclusions on FIFO and mental health.
“Any actions following the Committee’s recommendations must be based on reliable evidence and resource industry input to deliver real mental health benefits and avoid unintended adverse impacts on the industry and its workforce.”
Mr Barklamb adds that it is positive that many of the recommendations are based on cooperation with industry.
“The resource industry looks forward to working with all stakeholders to increase understanding of what are very complex challenges and to translate the Committee’s aspirations into practical initiatives,” he says.
“The Committee’s report is essentially preliminary, and many of its ideas and proposals need significantly more consideration and input.
“Today’s report should therefore be a starting point for further dialogue and engagement between government and industry stakeholders.”
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