Inpex will seek an order from Australia's workplace Tribunal to stop the labour action at Ichthys LNG

Japan's Inpex announced on Tuesday that it will seek urgent orders from Australia's Fair Work Commission in order to stop?protected?industrial action?at its Ichthys?liquefied?gas?facilities.

The Offshore Alliance (Maritime Union of Australia, Australian Workers' Union) announced on Monday that it would escalate its strike at Inpex's Ichthys plants in Australia, after the Fair -Work Commission's facilitated negotiations failed to resolve important pay and condition claims.

Inpex said it sought Fair Work Commission help to continue the talks between the parties.

Inpex responded to an email asking for clarification on several key items, including the rates of pay, allowances and career progression framework.

The Japanese company also stated that it was notified that further protected industrial action could occur between June 11 and 26.

Ichthys is responsible for 10% of Australia's LNG?supply. This puts the dispute at the forefront for energy traders, as Japan could face a LNG?supply crunch due to the Iran War. Australia is Japan's biggest LNG supplier.

The company stated that "if the?Ichthys facilities are taken off-line, there will be a negative impact on our LNG buyers as well as the recipients of domestic gas in the Northern Territory."

The Australian union announced on Monday that it filed a complaint against Inpex at Australia's offshore energy regulator. It claimed that the company uses unqualified workers to run critical equipment in its Ichthys Liquefied Natural Gas facilities.

(source: Reuters)