AT LEAST 1500 people have lost their jobs and are applying for government retraining programs because of the sudden suspension of the $2.45 billion insulation rebate.
On the first day for applications, 200 companies also contacted a government hotline seeking information about payments to help them retain staff until the insulation rebate restarts in June.
A spokeswoman for the Minister for Government Service Delivery, Mark Arbib, confirmed a flood of approaches for help following the decision to halt the $1200 rebate scheme.
Insulation companies and retrenched workers can apply for part of a $41.2 million package announced by the government last month. It includes 7000 retraining spots and $4000 payments per employee for companies willing to retain workers.
The Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, suspended the rebate after the deaths of four people working in the program and at least 93 house fires associated with dodgy installation.
Email a friend