The mine workers intend to raise statistics from Hunter Valley mines showing that while contract workers represent 35% to 40% of the workforce, they represented 66% of lost time injuries last year.

Insecure work arrangements were a concerning feature of Rio Tinto’s mining operations worldwide and were growing in Australia, CFMEU general secretary Andrew Vickers said.

“Contract jobs are replacing permanent jobs in Rio Tinto’s Australian coal mines,” he said.

“A growing proportion of jobs in coal mines are now filled by labour hire contractors rather than permanent positions – well over a third of jobs in many mines.

“This is a bad outcome for workers, who have little job security and don’t enjoy the same pay and conditions as permanent employees.

“But it’s also a disaster for mine safety.”

Contract workers know they could lose their job if they raise a concern about safety that might impact production and this fear is leading directly to accidents, according to Vickers.

“Rio Tinto says that contractors and labour hire are only used to manage peaks and flows in production but this is clearly not the case,” Vickers said.

“In Rio Tinto's coal mines in NSW and Queensland permanent jobs are steadily declining even when production is increasing.

“Mining companies like Rio Tinto might like the control they have over a casualised workforce – but it’s a dangerous trend.

“We urge Rio Tinto to prioritise permanent, secure jobs in all its operations.”