Rinehart's migrant worker push faces rebellion
12 years, 11 months ago

Rinehart's migrant worker push faces rebellion

ABC  

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart is leading the charge to bring semi-skilled migrants to Australia to staff mining projects, but a rebellion is brewing among unions amid allegations the schemes are being rorted. But Mr Noonan says large numbers of workers brought in on 457 visas to work at the Sino Iron project near Karratha have been underpaid. "On the contrary, EMAs are necessary to create jobs because without them there's a real risk some large projects won't proceed," he said. There are well over 80,000 workers in Australia already on 457 Visas and migration expert Dr Bob Birrell says he expects many will stay on as permanent migrants.

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History of this topic

One in six migrant workers are 'exploited', but many Australians are also paid below the national minimum wage
1 year, 10 months ago

One in six migrant workers are 'exploited', but many Australians are also paid below the national minimum wage

ABC  

One in six migrants are paid less than the national minimum wage according to a new report by the Grattan Institute, which says governments have failed to stop exploitation of migrant workers with sexual harassment, bullying, and unsafe working conditions also rife. Key points: Between 3-9 per cent of Australian workers are paid less than the minimum wage Those aged …

As migration returns to Australia, advocates call for more protections for exploited workers
2 years ago

As migration returns to Australia, advocates call for more protections for exploited workers

ABC  

Inderjit Kaur worked in the kitchen of an Australian restaurant for 20 hours a week for seven months without receiving a single pay cheque. Key points: A 2019 review found one in two migrant workers are likely being exploited The federal government is seeking to introduce the recommendations of that review Legal groups and unions are calling for additional measures …

Australia Raises Permanent Immigration Numbers Amid Labour Shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

Australia Raises Permanent Immigration Numbers Amid Labour Shortage

News 18  

Australia will increase its permanent immigration numbers by 35,000 to 195,000 in the current financial year as it looks to shift its focus toward long-term migrants, bringing some relief for businesses battling widespread staff shortages. The recently elected centre-left Labor government convened the two-day summit in Canberra, the national capital, inviting business groups and unions to help find solutions to …

Australia relies on migrants to fill job shortages but many are exploited, survey reveals
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia relies on migrants to fill job shortages but many are exploited, survey reveals

ABC  

Sixty-five per cent of temporary visa holders in Australia have experienced underpayment, while one in four say they have been exploited in the workplace, a survey has found. Key points: A new study has found temporary visa holders in Australia face underpayment and exploitation The Migrant Workers Centre interviewed 700 migrant workers to compile new data on their experience It …

No impact of Australian visa move on Indian techies, says Nasscom
7 years, 11 months ago

No impact of Australian visa move on Indian techies, says Nasscom

India TV News  

Indian IT industry's representative body National Association of Software Services and Companies on Wednesday said that Indian techies working in Australia would not be affected by Australian government's move on visas granted to them under a specific category. "Our initial assessment is that the move should not have a major impact on visas granted to Indian IT workers, as the …

457 visas: Maritime workers say reforms fall short as miners see limited impact
7 years, 11 months ago

457 visas: Maritime workers say reforms fall short as miners see limited impact

ABC  

The Maritime Union of Australia says the Federal Government has not gone far enough with changes to the 457 foreign skilled worker visa. "Maritime Crew Visas basically lets in international seafarers into the domestic shipping industry without any background checks," he said. "It's doesn't even have the requirements of a 457 visa it's like a revolving door of international workers …

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs

China Daily  

By Xinhua-reuters | China Daily | Updated: 2017-04-19 07:41 Two new, shorter and closed-ended temporary visas will replace the 457 skilled migrants visa program CANBERRA, Australia - The country's skilled migrant visa will be abolished in favor of a new "Australians first" approach, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday. In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Turnbull …

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs

China Daily  

Two new, shorter and closed-ended temporary visas will replace the 457 skilled migrants visa program CANBERRA, Australia - The country's skilled migrant visa will be abolished in favor of a new "Australians first" approach, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday. In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Turnbull announced that the 457 skilled migrant visa program would …

Companies to pay more for skilled migrants after 457 visa scrapping
7 years, 11 months ago

Companies to pay more for skilled migrants after 457 visa scrapping

ABC  

Companies who apply to bring temporary skilled migrants to Australia are set to pay more, as the Federal Government toughens its approach on foreign workers. Key points: Employing skilled migrants to become more expensive Government to use money raised to boost training for local workers Over 200 jobs cut from list of occupations foreign workers can apply for Prime Minister …

Government's 457 visa scrapping could affect India trade negotiations
7 years, 11 months ago

Government's 457 visa scrapping could affect India trade negotiations

ABC  

India has hinted that the Australian Federal Government's decision to replace the 457 skilled worker visa may affect trade negotiations. Key points: Indians make up a quarter of 457 visa holders, the most of any nation India wanted to expand approved skill categories to allow more Indian professionals to work in Australia Now hints trade negotiations could be affected by …

Australia scraps 457 visa used largely by Indians in ‘Australians First’ move
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps 457 visa used largely by Indians in ‘Australians First’ move

Live Mint  

Melbourne/New Delhi: Australia will abolish a popular work visa used by over 95,000 foreign workers, a majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country and replace it with a new programme requiring higher English-language proficiency and job skills. The programme known as 457 visa allows businesses to employ foreign workers for a period of up to …

What 457 visa changes mean for Australia
7 years, 11 months ago

What 457 visa changes mean for Australia

Daily Mail  

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace the abolished 457 visa with two stricter programs to bring skilled workers into Australia. Scroll down for video Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace the abolished 457 visa with two stricter programs to bring skilled workers into Australia NEW VISAS SUMMARY The 457 visa will be replaced with two new ones Short term two-year …

457 visa: Government to cut occupations list for skilled migrants
8 years, 4 months ago

457 visa: Government to cut occupations list for skilled migrants

ABC  

The list of jobs that overseas workers can fill under the 457 visa program is set to be cut by the Australian Government. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has indicated the Government will cut the list of occupations for which skilled migrant visas are available. "Too often we're seeing exploitation, abuse and the overuse and misuse of that visa means downward …

Farmers, miners endorse changes to visas for skilled foreign workers
10 years ago

Farmers, miners endorse changes to visas for skilled foreign workers

ABC  

Farmers and miners have broadly supported changes to the 457 visa program for skilled foreign workers. Scott Barklamb, the executive director of policy and public affairs with the Australian Mines and Metals Association, the national employer group for the resources industry, said foreign workers played a small, but critical, specialist role in the mining industry. He said the reforms would …

Australia to relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants
10 years, 5 months ago

Australia to relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants

India TV News  

Sydney: The Australian government will relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants, in an effort to make the country more competitive. A temporary work visa, the 457 visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business for up to four years. In a statement Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott, along with Trade Minister Andrew Robb, and …

Labor strikes compromise 457 visa crackdown deal with crossbench MPs
11 years, 8 months ago

Labor strikes compromise 457 visa crackdown deal with crossbench MPs

ABC  

The Federal Government has struck a compromise deal with crucial crossbench MPs for its crackdown on the 457 foreign worker visa scheme. A crackdown on 457 visas was announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard during a week-long mini-campaign in Western Sydney in March. The new laws will force employers to do local labour market testing to prove they cannot find …

Immigration report finds 457 visas rarely rorted
11 years, 10 months ago

Immigration report finds 457 visas rarely rorted

ABC  

An Immigration Department report has highlighted the need to strengthen the 457 foreign worker scheme but found only rare instances of clear abuse. "This report obtained by the Coalition under Freedom of Information demonstrates some fairly routine housekeeping changes to the 457 scheme," Mr Morrison said. Mr Morrison said in February that the Minster announced all of the measures recommended …

457 visas - the picture for rural Australia
12 years ago

457 visas - the picture for rural Australia

ABC  

457 worker visas play an important role in rural Australia. The National Farmers Federation says the Federal Government's decision to tighten the rules governing access to 457 visas will make it harder for the agriculture industry. "Given the purpose of 457 visas is to help Australian businesses source the skilled workers they need when they are unable to find suitable …

Gillard, Abbott trade blows in row over foreign workers
12 years ago

Gillard, Abbott trade blows in row over foreign workers

ABC  

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have accused each other of whipping up community fear over foreigners, amid a broader debate over the Government's crackdown on 457 visas. The Prime Minister says Labor inherited a visa system that was "riddled full of rorts", because some employers were bringing in temporary foreign labour even though there were Australians able to do the …

Dog whistling claims get louder in 457 visa debate
12 years ago

Dog whistling claims get louder in 457 visa debate

ABC  

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: As the faux election campaign heats up both major parties are accusing each other of dog whistling and racism. CHRIS UHLMANN, REPORTER: In the first decade of this century, China rose and Australia's mining industry surged to feed its demand for raw materials. CHRIS UHLMANN: Labor tightened the visa's conditions in 2009, but one of the new …

Immigration Minister defends 457 visa crackdown
12 years ago

Immigration Minister defends 457 visa crackdown

ABC  

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has responded to criticism of the Government's crackdown on 457 visas, providing examples of how the system has been rorted. The Prime Minister has described the 457 skilled migrant worker visa program as being "riddled with rorts", but when pressed to quantify the problem the Government has not been able say what the level of rorting …

Fear of foreign workers strikes Australia again
12 years, 11 months ago

Fear of foreign workers strikes Australia again

ABC  

CHRIS UHLMANN, PRESENTER: The fear of cheap imported workers driving down wages is etched deep in Australia's psyche. GREG HOY: But won't mining companies simply prefer to use migrants workers with far less bargaining power? GREG HOY: As for 457 visas for more skilled migrants, employers are required by immigration law to pay migrants the same market rate as Australians, …

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