State Government assistance for retrenched Gold Coast workers

The 200 workers retrenched from a Gold Coast business last week are being offered assistance from the Queensland Government to help them get new jobs.

Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said financial aid to the value of $5000 in services was available to eligible former employees of Labrador-based Vision Cabinets, which had gone into receivership.

Vision Cabinets manufactured kitchen cabinets and vanities.

“Retrenched workers – including cabinet makers, labourers, apprentices and administration staff - may be entitled to assistance up to $5000,” Ms Boyle said.

The assistance falls under Category 1 of the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry’s Worker Assistance Program which offers:
o up to $1000 towards job preparation;
o up to $3000 in training assistance;
o up to $2000 for relocation assistance and;
o up to $2000 employer wage subsidy (paid to the new employer).

A combination of these components may be accessed up to the maximum total value of $5000.

People will be eligible for assistance if they were employed by Vision Cabinets for three months or longer before being retrenched on 13 December 2007, and have not found suitable work of more than 20 hours per week.

Ms Boyle said information was being mailed to the retrenched employees and they could also phone the Worker Assistance Program on 3225 2113 during business hours today (Friday, December 21) or from Tuesday, January 2.

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2007
21 December 2007