Victorian service industry enduring conditions ‘worse than lockdown’

The service industry is enduring conditions “worse than lockdown” and many businesses won’t be able to hold on much longer if the government doesn’t act, an industry council boss has warned.

Chief Executive of the Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council, Stefanie Milla, says businesses are struggling with staff off due to COVID-19 infections, being close contacts, or needing a test and simply not being able to find one.

“You’ve got a staff member … away for four or five days trying to get access to a rapid antigen test,” she told Heidi Murphy, filling in for Tom Elliott.

“All the while, they’re actually COVID negative but can’t come into work.”

Ms Milla said the current situation is worse than it was during lockdowns.

“In lockdown we actually had the benefit of having grants and reduced bills and rent assistance, and we actually were supported somewhat,” she said.

The Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council is calling for government assistance to cover COVID-related leave.

“Half the time it’s not even sick leave, it’s just precautionary leave waiting for test results and we would like some kind of grant, or some kind of assistance proportionate to the amount of revenue that we’ve lost,” Ms Milla said.

Press PLAY below to hear what help the service industry needs to stay afloat