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.