The Finance Sector Union is calling on all parties to give a guarantee to workers that their jobs are not at risk of off shoring.

Finance Sector Union National Secretary Leon Carter said that with the latest Essential Report highlighting that the economy was the top issue of concern and Australian jobs and protection of local industries third, voters were clearly looking for guarantees about job security.

“Finance sector workers and the community have said loud and clear that off shoring is unacceptable.  When banks send jobs overseas they are putting profits over people and local communities.  

“We are often told that the strength of the banks helped save Australia from the worst impacts of the Global Financial Crisis.  However we know that it was strong regulation that stopped our banks from engaging in the kind of risky lending that many overseas banks engaged in,”Leon Carter said.

“Regulation to stop banks sending jobs overseas is needed more than ever.  This election all candidates and political parties have a chance to put their hand up for Australian workers and a strong local finance sector through supporting our Better Banking Charter.

The FSU’s Better Banking Charter calls for:

Commitment from Government and banks to stop offshoring jobs and invest in developing skills in the Australian financial sector. (90% of public support and 93% workers support)

Government regulation to prohibit or significantly limit the extent to which performance can be measured by sales targets linked to selling debt products in the finance sector. (79% of public support and 90% of workers support)

Regulatory requirement for banks to demonstrate a direct link between their fees and charges and customer service provision. (82% of public support and 82% of workers support)

“The community, our financial sector and our economy would be much better off with the implementation of these reforms to create better banking for everyone.

For details on this week’s Essential Report go to- http://www.essentialmedia.com.au/essential-report/   

Spokesperson:        Leon Carter, National Secretary, 0409 946 597

Media:                    Anaya Latter, 0432 121 636