SACKED Inpex workers could be reimbursed millions of dollars following a landmark Fair Work Commission case.

Fair Work Commissioner Michelle Bissett agreed with the Electrical Trades Union that electrical subcontractor, Kentz, violated its workplace agreement when it retrenched workers before they were due for scheduled, unpaid leave.

The company did so in order to reduce the amount of severance pay it owed workers. ETU NT organiser Paul Kirby described the practice as a “loophole” that “goes against the spirit” of the workplace agreement.

Ms Bissett noted the practice had not been ruled out in the union-negotiated workplace agreement “but there are many other things the agreement does not say – this cannot mean they are per-missible,” she said.

Mr Kirby said he has “no doubt the company will appeal” given the practice is widespread in the construction industry.

“I bet they have other companies on the phone right now, telling them to appeal because it will cost them millions,” he said.

“At the Inpex site alone, Kentz let go of 150 workers in the last quarter, and probably close to 1000 more over the next year.”

Mr Kirby, who is also the Territory Labor candidate for Port Darwin, said the union had started contacting affected workers yesterday afternoon.

“The thing about this decision is that it doesn’t just affect the electrical sector, it affects civil construction, and virtually all FIFO worksites.”

A spokesman for Kentz, which has more than $700 million worth of contracts at the Bladin Point site, yesterday said the company was still taking stock of the decision.

“While we respect the commission’s decision, we are considering our options on this matter,” the spokesman said.

Kentz employs around 1,200 workers on the Inpex site. Its contracted work will likely be complete in late 2016 or early 2017.