New Harvey Norman store, TerBorg comments

By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: Staff at the new Harvey Norman in Ipswich were run off their feet yesterday in a boxing day-like shopping frenzy after the store was opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale.

The new store has been earmarked by the local community as the urgent shot in the arm needed to stimulate the commercial centre, which locals say is stagnant.

“There’s a lot of residential development going around in the area so it’s becomes necessary for the town and city centre to provide more services for people to access,” said Miriam TerBorg, who works near Ipswich. 

“It will keep people coming to Ipswich, because at the moment there are a lot of new supercenters going on around the outer suburbs, so in that respect it will keep the community alive, the Ipswich business centre alive and vibrant.”

Peter Savas, the store’s electrical appliance franchisee told Current.com.au that the opening day had gone “phenomenally well” and that there had been a lot of “ooohs and aaahs” from customers as they wandered about the 3066-square metre super centre.

Savas said they had not advertised sales prior to the opening but had offered some exceptional specials on the day including a 1-terabyte hard drive for $78 and toasters and kettles for $5.

As for other consumer electronics stores in the area that might feel the pinch, Savas said that they were probably a bit nervous and would step up their game, since Harvey Norman was always a “step up”.

Airing the dirty laundry on Gold Coast hotels

A spotless living room

Employees from a housekeeping company have spoken out against what they consider are exploitative wage packages.

The three South American employees working for Metro Housekeeping services at the five star Meriton Apartments at Broadbeach became disgruntled when they worked out they were being paid as little as $10 a day for six hours of cleaning as a trainee.

Officially the wage rate sits at $21.50, though earning this ammount depends on cleaning a room in a specific time. A light service on a small room comprises of making a bed, cleaning up any dishes left in the kitchen and an over all tidy up. It needs to take 12 minutes.

“It’s unrealistic and we are never making it…as trainees we were sharing the cleaning of rooms and being really careful and slow. We were walking away with $10 or $20 a day,” says Juan Pablo Ureta, an architect from Chile.

No wrinkles on the sheets of this bed

A spokesperson for the Sydney based company flew to the Gold Coast a day after suggestions the operation is not so squeaky clean.

“I can’t believe this. I’m sure that if there was a problem someone would have told me earlier…we have a good relationship with the team,” he said.

“It’s important that our staff are happy and treated well… We have bed making contests and shout them pizzas and stuff at the end of the week,” he continues.

Everything in order?

But the Chilean believes the lack of complaints from staff in the past is because the majority are from Nepal.

“Well, it’s not really in their nature is it? They put their heads down. They are so grateful to even have a job and be earning an Australian dollar,” says Juan.

Wage structuring for trainees has been revised since investigations into the allegations. Trainees earn a standard flat rate of $21.50 regardless of the time it takes to clean a room.

The Chilean appreciates the change but remains sceptical.

“It’s great for trainees, but after those two weeks what?” asks Juan.