WORKERS SACKING DEMONSTRATES 457 VISA NEEDS OVERHAUL

Today’s sacking of Filipino guest workers brought to Australia under the Federal Government’s 457 visa highlights the lack of checks carried out by the Federal Immigration Department and the need for an urgent examination of the scheme.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Federal Government should be held to account for its subclass 457 visa which is open to exploitation as in the case of the Brisbane-based labour hire company reportedly sacking workers for joining a union.

“We recognise the need for these visas to assist with the skill shortage Queensland is currently experiencing,” Mr Mickel said.

“Our concern is the mismatch between areas of real need such as doctors and medical professionals and other sectors which are open to abuse and blatant exploitation.

“Senator Vanstone should order an urgent assessment of these visas to ensure workers are not disadvantaged, exploited and taken for a ride by unscrupulous employers.

“The Federal Government is using the skills shortage as a smokescreen to allow employers to import migrants to undermine working conditions.”

Mr Mickel said there has been a massive growth in the number of guest worker visas with a 66 per cent increase in the number granted in Australia since 2004.

In 2005-2006 around 40,000 workers were brought into Australia on these temporary working visas.

Media reports today claim the men are welders who arrived eight weeks ago part of a group 40 Filipino temporary workers. They claim their dismissal has been part of a pattern of harassment and they feel cheated.

“These guest workers can be rostered on shifts day or night, weekday or weekends and they receive no sick leave and can be sacked with one day's notice,” Mr Mickel said.

The workers were reportedly promised more than $40,000 when they agreed to work in Australia, but claim that figure has been slashed to $27,000 because of accommodation and transport charges levied against their wages.

“The over-reliance on 457 visas highlights the failure of the federal Government to invest properly in training and skills development for the nation,” Mr Mickel said.

“It also highlights the barely-hidden agenda of the federal Government to see wages and working conditions of ordinary working Australians reduced.

“This is further evidence 457 visas are being abused, benefiting no one, except those who wish to see wages driven down.

“If you work in Australia then you should get paid Australian rates under Australian conditions,” Mr Mickel said.


Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784