At least 400 truck drivers, many of them of Indian-origin, were left without work after a national freight trucking business, Redstar Transport ran out of money and went into liquidation just days before Christmas.
Days after the company went bust, a Brisbane-based Redstar Transport employee told SBS Punjabi that the company’s shutdown came as a “shock” to the drivers and that many workers were struggling to find new jobs.
“It’s a hard time for us. We have no jobs, no salaries. While a handful have succeeded in finding another job, many like me are still looking out for a suitable opportunity," an employee who prefers to remain anonymous, said. 
Their only hope in these hard times is the prospect of getting an early entitlement through the Federal Government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme which ensures financial assistance to employees who lose their jobs due to the liquidation of their employer.
Hundreds of truck drivers have been made redundant after a transport company's sudden collapse Source: AAP
Indian community representative Amar Singh who is in touch with a couple of sacked Redstar employees said this isn’t the first time that a transporter has suddenly shut shop.
“Over the years, many companies like Bunkers, then Silk have gone bankrupt. In the end, the creditors walk away with the funds and the drivers who literally run these companies get nothing,” said Mr Singh.
He said Redstar’s collapse underlines an urgent need for regulation to protect the interests of the drivers and to prevent the downward spiral of the trucking industry.
Price Waterhouse Coopers, that has been appointed to wind up the company’s affairs revealed that Redstar did not even have enough funds to appoint a liquidator but transport operator Toll and ANZ bank have pledged to cover the costs of their services.
"PwC is taking a risk by accepting this appointment, however, somebody needs to stand up for these 400 employees and make sure their entitlements are calculated and paid by FEG as soon as possible," said PwC’s Stephen Longley, who is supervising the liquidation process.
Redstar Transport goes into liquidation Source: Facebook
Meanwhile, many transporters like Toll, Linfox, ACFS and Freight Assist Australia have come to the aid of the ex-Redstar employees.
Brendan Tate, executive business manager for Freight Assist Australia told SBS Punjabi that his company has many openings for those looking out for alternative options in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
