Western Australia's workers were sick and tired of having their productivity levels attacked, Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today.
"The fact was that workers in this State had achieved very high levels of productivity," Mrs Henderson said.
"The continual knocking of the economy by the Opposition and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is damaging confidence and will not help our recovery and employment prospects."
Mrs Henderson was commenting on Chamber of Commerce claims that productivity levels needed to improve.
"It is blatantly wrong to say that since 1983 Australia has had one of the worst productivity records in the OECD area," she said.
"In terms of gross domestic product per worker per hour in 1987, for instance, Australia had higher productivity than Sweden, Japan and the UK.
"In terms of purchasing power, Australia ranks 13th out of 24 OECD countries, ahead of Italy, Norway and the Netherlands.
"In the 10 years from 1979-80, WA's labour productivity grew by 1.8 per cent per year. The figure for Australia as a whole was 1.1 per cent.
"As well, there are huge economic benefits in WA's continuing low level of industrial disruption."
Mrs Henderson said the average number of working days lost through industrial disputes in the last nine years, to June 1992, was 133,200.
"This compares to 220,500 in the nine years to 1983.
"Employers say poor productivity performances must end. They should recognise that the times of poor performance and high levels of disputes ended nearly 10 years ago.
"Based on current average weekly earnings of just under $600 per week, the dispute figures mean a saving of more than $10.6 million per year in wages alone since 1983.
"Nor did that calculation allow for growth in the workforce," Mrs Henderson said.
"These savings stand in stark contrast to the Opposition's constant talking down of the economy. They must take some responsibility if recovery falters because of their whingeing.
"The Government's policy of consultation in industrial relations is paying big dividends, with benefits to industry and the economy in general.
"This does not mean that anyone need be satisfied with productivity levels. There is always room for improvement, and the Government's commitment to workplace agreements and wage rises based on productivity improvements confirms this."
