Workers in Whyalla, South Australia, are facing uncertainty over millions of dollars in unpaid entitlements after two companies connected to GFG Alliance were forced into liquidation. Employees from Ferretti International and Whyalla Ports fear they may not receive the full payments they are owed after the companies entered liquidation following financial difficulties.
The companies were previously linked to GFG Alliance, the former operator of the Whyalla Steelworks. According to workers and union representatives, the liquidation process may not generate enough funds to cover outstanding employee payments because the companies have limited assets available to repay debts.
Among those affected is Ferretti International worker Jun Samonte, who says he is owed around $53,000 in employment entitlements after years of service. He and other workers have expressed concern that they may never receive the money they were promised, creating financial pressure for families who relied on those payments.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) said employees feel they have been let down after working for the businesses in good faith. The union warned that the liquidation process could leave many workers without access to the full amount of their entitlements.
Ferretti International reportedly owes more than $2 million in employee entitlements across its Whyalla and Wingfield operations, while Whyalla Ports has significant debts to creditors. Workers and unions are calling for further government support, particularly for migrant employees who may not qualify for the federal Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme.
The Fair Entitlements Guarantee provides financial assistance to eligible workers when an employer enters liquidation or bankruptcy. However, eligibility rules mean some migrant workers may not be covered, leaving them concerned about recovering money they have earned through years of employment.
The liquidation followed earlier financial problems involving GFG Alliance-related businesses. Administrators said breaches were identified under previous company arrangements, leading creditors to move towards liquidation proceedings.
The situation has added further pressure to the Whyalla community, where the steel industry has long been a major source of employment and economic activity. Local workers and families are now seeking certainty about their financial futures while government agencies and administrators continue reviewing the companies’ remaining assets and obligations.
The case highlights concerns about protecting employee entitlements when large industrial companies face financial collapse. Workers and unions continue calling for stronger protections to ensure employees receive money owed to them after years of service.
