Mr. Freidenberg (Josh Frydenberg), a financial minister, insists that the retention allowance will not expand. Figure Source: AAP)
The union has put more pressure on government Morrison to extend its salary subsidy program to temporary and migrant workers.
McManus (Sally McManus), Secretary of the Australian Trade Union Council (ACTU), called for the unspent amount of $130 billion in the retention allowance scheme to cover other workers who had not received the subsidy.
Although the plan`s budget covers 6 million employees, only 728,000 enterprises (involving 4.7 million employees) have signed up.
Ms. McManus says there seems to be money left.
She told AAP on Wednesday :" Morrison government there is no excuse not to extend the benefits to cover workers who are excluded and need support. "
ACTU secretary said the scheme has excluded a quarter of the arts and entertainment industry, and many temporary workers, contract workers and foreign workers are also excluded.
"For millions of Australian workers and their families, this creates unnecessary economic difficulties ," she said. "
"Financial minister can be changed immediately and should be done. "
A $1,500 subsidy is paid to employers every two weeks from Wednesday.
Temporary migrant workers and temporary workers who work for an employer for less than 12 months are excluded from the retention allowance.
The financial minister, Josh Frydenberg, insists the plan will not expand, but expects more companies to sign up in the coming days.
He told Sky News (Sky News):" We are well aware of the parameters of the project, and that`s the situation. "
Mr. fleidenberg said it was unclear how much the plan would cost.
Charmus (Jim Chalmers), the shadow finance minister, said the confusion over retention subsidies would lead to more Australians in trouble.
"When the financial minister indicated that the project was being carried out within the budget, he said to journalist in Brisbane, he really meant that it was difficult for most businesses and workers to receive the subsidy. "
