This would address the situation where mineworkers are being forced to live in restrictive camp accommodation with no minimum standards around food, communications, cleanliness and fatigue management, CFMEU Queensland district president Steve Smyth said.

“FIFO and temporary camp accommodation with decent standards and conditions have a place in the resources industry but it’s out of control,” he said.

“The unrestrained growth of camps in mining regions has been fuelled by tax benefits for mining companies who choose itinerant workforces over local workforces.

“The result is that mineworkers usually have no choice but to live in a camp controlled by their employer. Standards of accommodation, food, cleanliness and facilities vary wildly and workers have no freedom to engage with local communities, even when they have friends and family nearby.”

Workers report constant surveillance and many say their employer is very controlling even when they are at their accommodation, according to the union.

“Although most workers are on a consistent roster, they are given a different room each time they are at the camp, which makes a sense of community difficult,” it said.

“Less than half of all commuting workers say they have access to good quality food.

“Many camps do not provide internet access or mobile phone coverage, meaning workers find it hard to keep in touch with their families and support networks.”

While some camps sit on the edges of towns, others are more isolated and transport is rarely provided to local community facilities, according to the union.

“Commuting workers deal with incredibly gruelling rosters and long stints away from their families. It is essential that they have access to good quality accommodation and facilities,” Smyth said.

“Workers also need real choice about whether they stay in a camp or rent in share accommodation in town or move to local communities with their families.

“No company should be able to dictate where their workers live or how they commute. FIFO arrangements can take their toll on the mental health of some workers, as has been shown in the recent WA inquiry into FIFO suicides.”