Workers allegedly served maggot-infested meals at Queensland renewable energy site
Workers at a renewable energy project in northern Queensland were allegedly fed meals filled with maggots amid fears of a gastrointestinal outbreak at the camp.
Union leaders have condemned the Genex Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Kidston, a remote town in inner Townsville, for unacceptable hygiene and food safety standards.
In the photographs of the food allegedly served to workers on January 10, larvae can be seen in the food.
Maggot-infested meals were allegedly being served at the Genex Pumped Storage Hydro Project at Kidston in Far North Queensland.
“Three hours from the nearest store, the only food workers fed at the remote Kidston Hydro Project are infested with maggots,” said CFMEU regional coordinator Chad Bradgon.
“This is a serious health and safety failure by Genex and ISS and demonstrates exactly why we need mandatory living standards at all remote work sites and camps.”
Electrical Union state organizer Robert Hill said the standards were unacceptable and he would not feed his dog the food pictured.
Hill said the presence of the larvae has caused workers to worry about what they might consume when their food is covered in sauces such as gravy or curry.
“The presence of larvae in food constitutes a clear breach of food safety standards and raises serious concerns about negligence in the handling, storage and preparation of food, as well as the standard and frequency of inspection.”
“A large number of workers have reported gastrointestinal illness over a long period of time, and I experienced the same on my last visit.
