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NATIONAL Broadband Network contractors are sacking workers across the state because it is unknown when Telstra will restart remediation work on asbestos-affected pits. Civil Contractors Federation chief executive Tony Cook said yesterday it was very sad that about 200 jobs would be lost. "Earlier this week, one company was reported to have put their workers off," Mr Cook said. "Now other companies are doing that today and tomorrow. "We are really disappointed that it has come to this. "We are up to week 10 since the Telstra remediation works stopped. "No one seems to be able to give a definitive answer, which is frustrating from Visionstream's perspective too," he said. Mr Cook said contractors were bitterly disappointed. "Some are frustrated to the point where they suggested that they won't work on the contract again, if the opportunity arises," he said. "We would like to send the message through to Telstra, to expedite the process as fast as they possibly can." Telstra stopped all pit remediation work on May 28 after incidents of non- compliant asbestos management and removal. A Telstra spokesman said no date had yet been set for the recommencement of pit remediation work. "We understand the impact our current stop work may have on some of our contractors and subcontractors and we are working as quickly as possible through the issues, including retraining," the spokesman said. "Our priority throughout has been to ensure the safety of workers and the community." Opposition innovation, science and technically spokesman Michael Ferguson said he had spoken to contractors who were devastated. "They have had to lay off apprentices and construction workers because there's no work for them," Mr Ferguson said. "That's been the case for six to eight weeks now, longer in the South." Premier Lara Giddings said NBN contractors should be redeployed to work on other areas of the project while issues of asbestos were resolved. Ms Giddings said the state government had submitted proposals to NBN Co and Visionstream to reschedule work and keep contractors employed while this asbestos issue was resolved. "We have been in contact with Telstra to urge them to progress the clean-up as a matter of urgency so work can resume as quickly as possible," Ms Giddings said. A spokesman for Federal Broadband Minister Anthony Albanese said Telstra reported to the independent asbestos taskforce last week that it would be seeking approval from its board to resume remediation of its pits and ducts as part of the NBN roll- out. "Comcare reported to the taskforce that they are satisfied that appropriate actions are being taken by Telstra to address work health and safety for asbestos related hazards," he said.

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