Workers protest against retailer Harvey Norman after billionaire boss kept $14.5million in JobKeeper handouts despite the chain's RECORD profits driven by Covid



Daily Mail Australia
28 May 2021








Protests have erupted across the country outside Harvey Norman stores as disgruntled workers demand wage increases - after the billionaire boss pocketed $14.5million in JobKeeper handouts.

The furniture and electrical retailer, founded by Gerry Harvey, made a record $462million after tax profit in the six months to December 31.

As lockdowns made shoppers more inclined to redecorate their homes, the company saw a staggering 116 per cent rise in profits.




On Friday staff banded together in support of a minimum wage increase, with employees taking to the front of Harvey Norman stores armed with signs and megaphones.   :)


Protests have erupted across the country outside Harvey Norman stores as disgruntled workers demand wage increases (pictured in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane)





Harvey Norman's billionaire founder Gerry Harvey has defended pocketing $14.5million in JobKeeper wage subsidies despite posting a 116 per cent profit increase. The chairman is pictured with his wife Katie Page, the chief executive of Harvey Norman

Staff were seen outside a store in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley chanting: 'Australia needs a pay rise' as union members slammed Harvey Norman's boss for supporting a wage freeze for those on minimum pay.

The string of protests were set up by the Australian Council of Trade Unions which are calling for the minimum wage to be increased by 3.5 per cent.


This pay bump would directly affect 2.2 million workers who are on minimum wage salaries.

'Harvey Norman saw the global pandemic as an ''opportunity'', doubled its profits, benefited from a delay in the last increase in wages and then refused to pay back JobKeeper,' Sally McManus, the secretary for the ACTU said.

'For many workers, a 3.5 per cent increase would make a significant difference after nearly a decade of low wage growth.'

Ms McManus said the workers are trying to get the attention of Harvey Norman bosses who are opposing the minimum wage increases.


The string of protests were set up by the Australian Council of Trade Unions which are calling for the minimum wage to be increased by 3.5 per cent


Other protesters can be seen in Hobart demanding Harvey Norman increases the minimum wage for staff


Others were heard shouting 'No Harvey Norman no!' in reference to its slogan 'Go Harvey go'

Footage of protests have been seen across Queensland, New South Wales and Hobart on Friday with thousands of employees taking to the streets.



Despite its success in the face of lockdowns, Mr Harvey defended pocketing $14.5million on JobKeeper wage subsidies, mainly in the first half of 2020, as Australia suffered its first recession in almost three decades.


Protesters are seen in Brisbane on Friday outside a Harvey Norman store


A rally is seen in Brisbane as workers demand a pay increase for those on the minimum wage.   :) 

'I'm sick of talking about JobKeeper because I've been on the phone talking about it all day,' he earlier told Melbourne radio broadcaster Tom Elliott.

'I don't want to go into it, it's like going down a rabbit hole talking about why and where.'

The retail king, who last year made The Australian Financial Review Rich List with a net worth of $2.6billion, argued the JobKeeper money went to wholesale operations and therefore was not propping up the successful retail side of the business.   :(

Workers rally outside Harvey Norman stores across the country to support minimum wage increase   :)
28 May 2021
ACTU
Workers rally outside Harvey Norman stores across the country to support minimum wage increase
Workers are protesting outside Harvey Norman stores around the country today in support of a much needed pay increase for 2.2 million workers who rely on increases to award rates of pay. Harvey Norman doubled the company profits in the last 6 months, but their big business lobbyists continue to argue for real wage cuts for working people.

Last year Harvey Norman company chairman Gerry Harvey called coronavirus “an opportunity” in which his company saw profits increase by 116%.

Harvey Norman’s profits doubled to $462 million at a time when retail workers were required to wait an extra seven months for the 2020 1.75% wage rise to flow through to their award. The company also refused to pay back $22 million in JobKeeper that was designed to subsidise workers’ wages for companies impacted by COVID.

In the June quarter of 2020 profits rose 14.9 per cent across the economy and the ACTU is calling for the minimum wage to be increased by 3.5 per cent. This would impact 1 in 4 workers who are on minimum wage or award rates and rely on the annual wage review for a pay increase.

Quotes attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:

”Harvey Norman saw the global pandemic as an ‘opportunity’, doubled its profits, benefited from a delay in the last increase in wages and then refused to pay back JobKeeper.

“It’s now time for Harvey Norman to step up and support a 69 cent an hour pay rise. Prime Minister Morrison must also stop supporting big business’ calls for real wage cuts – what the economy needs now is people with money to spend.

“For many workers, a 3.5 per cent increase would make a significant difference after nearly a decade of low wage growth.

“An increase to minimum wage would help those who need it most with about half of award wage workers engaged in insecure casual jobs. At 61 per cent of the award workforce, women would be disproportionately affected by this decision.

“Increasing minimum wage would impact over 2.2 million award dependant workers and beyond reducing financial stress on low wage workers, would generate local spending and economic growth.”

1 Consistent with health advice and Vic Govt restrictions connected to the latest COVID ourbreaks in Victoria, there are no actions planned in Victoria