SafeWork NSW has confirmed it is assisting with an investigation into food hygiene at a Snowy 2.0 accommodation camp, after receiving photos and a video from workers' representatives.
The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) today released videos allegedly shot on-site at two workers' camps showing what appear to be maggots and bugs in meals served to workers.
Trade union representatives have confirmed workers from multiple unions, including the AWU, have walked off the job over the matter this afternoon.
In a statement, a SafeWork NSW spokesperson confirmed an inspector was liaising with the contractor and workers' representatives on-site today after receiving a complaint, photos, and a video.
"They are also coordinating with the National Parks and Wildlife Service who are leading the investigation with support from the NSW Food Authority," the spokesperson said.
Snowy Hydro and Future Generation Joint Venture — the contractor group created specifically to deliver Snowy 2.0 — have not responded to requests for comment.
Workers in the Snowy Mountains project live in camps and work in remote locations.
AWU NSW branch secretary Tony Callinan said workers had reported being served food unfit for consumption "for a very long time".
"Unfortunately recently it's escalated with some changes to the caterers, and now we're actually seeing food that's not actually fit for consumption," he said.
"We're seeing salads served up with grubs in it, meat with maggots in it, and also chicken with maggots in it now."
Mr Callinan said some of the videos had been sent from remote workers' camp Lobs Hole in the Kosciuszko National Park.
He said one of the videos, showing what appeared to be maggots on a piece of chicken, was shot by a worker last night.
"It's just not good enough," Mr Callinan said.
Mr Callinan said the union had previously raised safety issues with Snowy Hydro and government ministers.
He said they specifically raised food quality concerns with Future Generation Joint Venture "months ago", and had now sent the contractor the images and video.
"Something needs to be done as a matter of urgency down there," he said.
