Our Executive Officer Andrew Clarke spoke to The Advertiser’s Andrew Hough and Annabel Fleming on the issue of plumbers not being paid on time under housing contracts.
"Speaking on behalf of concerned tradies, Master Plumbers SA chief executive officer Andrew Clarke said he had warned several business owners from "entering into this housing contract due to the nature of the concerns".
Mr Clarke, who sits on the Construction Industry Training Board, said tradies are "walking away" despite being owed money. "I've been involved in member associations for 20-plus years and I've never witnessed this lack of business integrity between subcontractors and authorising parties," he said.
"This is contributing to the social housing crisis. It's a disaster zone and [it's] not fair tenants are subject to questionable living standards. It really is a disgrace and a diabolic mess.
"We're now faced with a worsening situation where subcontractors are being forced to work below industry rates and standards, often...in dangerous situations with no allowance to meet WHS requirements," he said. "Some subcontractors haven't been paid for jobs completed in 2023 and are expected to continue to work to the current contract conditions"
This is an issue we’ve heard about from our members, through our member survey in February of this year, and in-person at many of our Roadshows. We’re committed to advocating further on behalf of the plumbing industry; if you’d like to get in contact, please email us or give the office a call on 8292 4000.
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