A group of Australian construction workers have sparked public anger for appearing to do little more than watch another worker work while they wait to be paid.
The video, originally recorded in 2019 but resurfaced this week, shows workers over at least eight nights watching a colleague operate an excavator to dig a hole in the middle of the road.
Social media users erupted about the “tax dollar hard at work” at the group gathered around a warehouse, with many joking about the amount of money each worker was likely paid.
“They’ll also have double the time if they work at night,” joked one observer.
“As this is Australia, the person holding the sign makes over 120k,” joked a second.
But some Australians were quick to defend the workers.
Australians are frustrated that road workers are “standing around” while being paid high wages (pictured, video of workers posted on social media)
“There are safety issues that people who don’t have that kind of job don’t know about,” one wrote.
Others pointed out that the image probably did not represent the full scale of the work the team had done.
The controversial photo comes after revelations that construction workers, including on-site traffic controllers, are among the highest-paid positions in Victoria.
Traffic controllers working on major infrastructure projects in the state earn more than $200,000 a year.
The pay deal struck by the powerful Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union applies to stop-start sign holders on Victoria’s ‘Big Build’ projects, which former premier Dan Andrews spearheaded.
The annual salary is almost three times what the average nurse, teacher or police officer earns.
Traffic controllers on Victoria’s Big Build rail and road projects earn salaries of $200,000 under pay agreements reached by the CFMEU (file image)
An entry-level construction worker or CFMEU-aligned traffic controller on a large construction project would earn $206,000 a year if they worked 56 hours a week for 48 weeks a year.
The salary includes per diem and travel expenses, overtime and meal penalties.
In comparison, a graduate teacher in Victoria earns $77,000, a police officer earns $75,000 and a registered nurse would earn between $75,000 and $85,000.
