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\nThe cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month.
\nPhoto: 123RF\n<\/p>\n
Workers First Union has asked banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to do more to help staff struggling with the cost of commuting.<\/p>\n
The cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month<\/a>, as war in the Middle East<\/a> pushes up the price of oil.<\/p>\n According to fuel price monitoring app Gaspy, 91 is up more than $1 a litre in the last 28 days, to an average $3.39.<\/p>\n Diesel is up $1.61 to $3.29 and 95 up $1.07 to $3.59.<\/p>\n Workers First national organiser for finance Callum Francis said people were spending an increasing portion of their wages just on travelling to and from work.<\/p>\n He called for the organisations to suspend attendance requirements, offer work-from-home where possible and to subsidise transport for those who had to be on site.<\/p>\n “Finance workers offer care and consideration to customers every single day,” he said.<\/p>\n “We’re asking their employers to offer them the same. This is no longer a nice-to-have – it is becoming a necessity.”<\/p>\n Francis said it was similar to the Covid-19 pandemic, when many organisations quickly adapted to allow staff to work from home.<\/p>\n “Businesses showed during Covid that they could act quickly and pragmatically when workers needed them to. We’re asking for that same approach now,” he said.<\/p>\n “Billion-dollar institutions like banks and insurance providers can and should provide relief and convenience to their workers whenever it’s possible – especially during a crisis.”<\/p>\n The banks have been approached for comment.<\/p>\n Earlier, the Public Service Association said the government should allow public service staff to work from home to save on fuel costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n