Media Release
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today supported the right of workers at a Victorian paper mill to be able to choose to spend Christmas Day with their families.
ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said staff at Australian Paper’s Maryvale plant should not risk $6,000 fines if they chose not to ‘volunteer’ to work Christmas Day.
“Christmas Day is one of the two most significant holidays on the Christian calendar and the purpose of not only celebrating the birth of Christ but also spending time with family should not be lost in a nation which still draws mainly from its Judeo-Christian heritage,” Mr Wallace said.
“In a period when family time is being eroded more and more it’s extremely important that families have the opportunity to celebrate special occasions such as Christmas together – and hopefully become closer through the experience.”
Way to go ACL, dignity for employees is imperative.. Pushing people to work longer hours is taking people away from family and friends and promotes anxiety and stress.
Australia has lost it’s way. If we can’t be truly ‘free’ to choose whether we want to work on Christmas day or not without risking a big fine we are not a democracy. Thankyou ACL.