UNIONSACT is urgently calling the federal government to establish a wages subsidy to protect jobs.

UnionsACT secretary Alex White says they have already been contacted by hundreds of Canberra workers who are fearful of their jobs and income security, or who have already been sacked or stood down without pay.

Mr White says countries including UK, Denmark, and NZ have all introduced a wages subsidy. The UK is guaranteeing 80 per cent of a person’s wage to ensure jobs are protected.

UnionsACT is now calling on the federal government to do the same immediately to avoid mass unemployment and depression-era poverty.

“With the confusion from Scott Morrison’s press conference last night worsening uncertainty for working people, now is the time for the Federal Government to urgently by introducing a wages guarantee,” Mr White says.

“Workers who face unemployment will also face poverty levels of income and long delays on Newstart.

“The prime minister used to say that ‘the best form of welfare is a job’ but now he seems to think the best form of welfare is welfare.

“Evidence shows that it is vital to keep workers in jobs now to avoid a long and protracted economic recession.”