FIFO Inquiry called to task by AMA

Last year, the Federal House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia launched an inquiry into the experience of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) workers in regional Australia.

The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Simon Crean asked the Committee to look into a range of issues, including:

–    The extent and projected growth of FIFO/DIDO work practices;

–    The impact of FIFO/DIDO on individuals, communities and companies;

–    Long-term strategies for economic diversification in towns with large FIFO/DIDO workforces; and

–    Provision of services, infrastructure and housing availability for FIFO/DIDO employees.

 

“The Committee recognises that the use of fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out workforces in the mining sector raises a number of significant challenges and opportunities for individuals and their families, communities and employers,” Committee Chair Tony Windsor said on the launch of the inquiry.

“We are interested in exploring all of those issue and hope to also hear from mining companies who are utilising FIFO/DIDO for their employees.”

This week the Western Australia branch of the Australian Medical Association called for the inquiry to closely examine key issues relating to the health of workers, especially mental health, obesity and access to general practitioners.

“I note with concern that the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference emphasises economic issues but fails to properly emphasise health and socially related subjects,” AMA(WA) president associate professor David Mountain said.

“It is important and well overdue that the economic issues surrounding FIFO are examined by a Parliamentary committee, but if they don’t include health as a key part of their terms of reference, committee members are missing a significant opportunity to have a real impact on the lives of FIFO workers and their families.”

Mountain pointed to recent reports on the subject that have revealed significant health concerns for FIFO workers.

These concerns are growing in number and range from diabetes, through to obesity, mental health and heart issues.

There has also been a reported spike in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) amongst FIFO workers who are participating in unsafe sex with co-workers and prostitutes.

“It is important that any review involves this key area,” he said.

According to the AMA there is already plenty of data available showing that working different shifts can be very disruptive to the lives and relationships of these workers.

The doctors’ representative body claimed the mining industry to be full of stories about FIFO workers suffering general health problems, relationship breakdowns, and sometimes the abuse of drugs, especially alcohol and the marijuana substitute, Kronic.

“Medical professionals acknowledge FIFO workers face a range of special health demands and it is vital that the Parliamentary Inquiry consider these issues and propose solutions,” Mountain continued.

“Especially worrying is that, due to their unusual lifestyles, FIFO workers are often not able to develop a close relationship with a general practitioner.”

Health services for remote centres serving mining companies with FIFO workforces have become strained as the number of medical professionals leaving rural environments has increased proportionally to the demand.

“It is equally important that health services for people living in remote towns that service FIFO workers and their work sites be closely examined as well, due to the major effects increased pressure on resources and increases in local costs and rents have on medical services and local employment,” Mountain said.

The AMA(WA) said it will be making a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry based on the personal knowledge and experience of medical professionals who have, for some years, advocated a serious inquiry into health and social issues of FIFO.

“We would also encourage Committee members to visit Western Australia and pay particular attention to the Kimberley and the Pilbara,” Mountain said.