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.
“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.
“This is a fundamental breach of food safety obligations and raises serious concerns about the camp’s ability to provide safe, nutritious meals.”
Concerns were also expressed about the possibility of material shortages in the camp due to restricted road access due to recent floods.
A work stoppage was taken on the project late last year due to unacceptable conditions in the camp.
Unsafe food standards and dirty housing conditions were among the concerns voiced at the time.
The project is a joint venture between John Holland and McConnell Dowell, who have pledged to increase cleaning staff to ensure standards are met.
Workers have since reported that the rooms were moldy and unserviceable. Workers also continue to experience Wi-Fi issues at the remote facility.
The ETU said workers should be sent home if standards were not met.
It was stated that workers should not be forced to choose between making a living and risking their health.
Genex, a renewable energy company headquartered in Sydney, has been asked for comment.
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