Qantas investigated for suspending worker who raised coronavirus concerns
Qantas is facing an investigation by SafeWork NSW alleging it suspended an aircraft cleaner in February for highlighting concerns about coronavirus exposure at work.
The worker is a union delegate and health and safety rep.
The airline refused to reinstate the employee despite critical media coverage and pressure from the Transport Workers’ Union.
Qantas denies any wrongdoing.
"A union delegate was stood down pending an investigation after incorrectly telling employees it was not safe to work on aircraft arriving from China," a Qantas spokesman said.
"This was against the advice of health authorities and despite additional safety equipment being provided to employees."
TWU NSW branch secretary Richard Olsen said Qantas could be hit with hefty fines for ‘discriminatory conduct and prohibited behaviour.’
"If safety reps at Qantas can’t stand up to unsafe work practices, then no worker is safe," Olsen said.
"It is incomprehensible to the TWU that the Sydney worker was stood down due to his concerns for his co-workers.
"Now with the company-wide stand down, Qantas have put their own internal investigation on hold, leaving the worker uncertain of his future, and we are watching the company scramble to manage their own actions," Olsen added.
Qantas said it has implemented ‘enhanced safety measures in place to protect our employees and customers’, however it is facing similar accusations of negligence at Adelaide Airport where 11 baggage handlers have contracted the covid-19 virus.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements