February 17, 2020
FIFO mineworkers staying in Rio Tinto camps across the Pilbara have faced a massive hike in beer prices since the start of February.
Rio Tinto and its camp operator Sodexo told workers that the price of alcohol would increase an average of 14%, but some brands went up by almost 50%.
The price increases come after significant price rises last year as well.
The new price list sees a can of Emu Export jump from $3.30 to $4.80, an increase of 45%, while Carlton Dry stubbies went up from $4.10 to $5.50, a 34% increase.
In a letter to employees in January, Rio and Sodexo told staff that the new alcohol pricing policy was about consistency with local Pilbara retail outlets.
However, members said that at Rio’s more remote camps, there is simply nowhere else to purchase alcohol.
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