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Fly in, fly out workers give verdict on job

AAP

AAP

The majority of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) staff are satisfied with their lifestyle, an industry-led survey of Queensland mine workers has found.

More than 1800 mine staff completed the survey, commissioned by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), with about two-thirds being FIFO staff.

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The figures showed 85 per cent of all respondents rated their physical and mental health as good, very good or excellent.

QRC chief executive Michael Roche said 82 per cent would not change their accommodation arrangements if given the option.

“Workers living residentially, close to mines for example, are very happy with that arrangement,” Mr Roche said.

“But equally workers who undertake long distance commuting by car, bus or plane are equally committed to their arrangements.”

They survey showed 75 per cent of workers were satisfied with their roster and travelling arrangements.

Mr Roche said the results would be provided to the Queensland parliamentary inquiry into fly-in, fly-out work practices.

Other submissions have not been as positive, with some workers and health practitioners blaming long-distance commuting for issues including family breakdowns and mental health problems.

“When you put together the views of over 1800 people, we get a different picture,” Mr Roche said.

“We get a picture of workers who are satisfied with the quality of life, they’re satisfied with their physical and mental health, they’re satisfied with the standard of employer-provided accommodation, and they’re very committed to their current living arrangements.”

In the survey, 1500 of the respondents were men and 300 were women.

Ninety per cent were in a relationship and 57 per cent said they had dependent children.

The survey found FIFO workers travelled an average of 602km to work and more than 60 per cent travelled by car.

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