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, though there are serious concerns this can be easily rorted. GREG HOY: Sino Iron says the project has been cleared by the Fair Work Ombudsman, which did in fact defer to the Immigration Department as to whether workers had been paid at the market rate. GREG HOY: There are now well over 80,000 workers in Australia already on 457 visas and we are often reminded that they are only temporary.

Australia Migration Mining Workers Projects Working Chris Noonan Gina Rinehart Hoy Ema Chris Bowen Foreign Work 457 Visas Bob Birrell Greg Hoy Enterprise Migration Agreements Dave Noonan  fear  australia  working  foreign  work  hoy  theres  migration  workers  projects  strikes  noonan  mining

History of this topic

Eye-opening truth on why millions of people want to move to Australia - as immigration continues to soar
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Eye-opening truth on why millions of people want to move to Australia - as immigration continues to soar

Daily Mail  

A young man from Indonesia on a working holiday in Australia now earns in just two days what would be an entire month's salary back home. Working as a cleaner at a shopping centre, the young man reflected on the bold decision to move to Australia, and how it changed his life forever. At just 23, an Indonesian man on …

Immigration has provided 'marginal economic benefit', says the assistant minister. A lot rides on what happens next
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Immigration has provided 'marginal economic benefit', says the assistant minister. A lot rides on what happens next

ABC  

What did he say? A review in to Australia's migration system finds that temporary migrant workers are frequently "exploited" with the current system contributing to the risk of that. The system isn't 'fit for purpose' At any rate, Mr Thistlethwaite says that's why the Albanese government asked former public service chief Martin Parkinson to conduct a "wholesale review" of Australia's …

Advocates welcome new visa allowing migrant workers to remain in Australia to pursue legal action against their employers
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Advocates welcome new visa allowing migrant workers to remain in Australia to pursue legal action against their employers

ABC  

A new visa that was quietly introduced last week is already giving hope to migrant workers who are battling for justice against exploitation, a leading legal advocate says. Migrant worker hopes measure will be good for 'self-respect' Legal advocates have long despaired that Australia's visa system tethers migrant workers to their employers. "I feel happy for migrant workers," Inderjit said …

The $150k jobs that Aussies are snubbing: 'Thousands' of high-paying roles available - but recruiters are struggling to fill them
1 year, 6 months ago

The $150k jobs that Aussies are snubbing: 'Thousands' of high-paying roles available - but recruiters are struggling to fill them

Daily Mail  

Thousands of mining jobs paying over $150,000 a year are available across Australia, but employers are struggling to fill them partly because of negative views of the industry. 'There are over 7,000 jobs advertised for the mining sector across Australia right now on Seek and the average earnings are $148,000 per year, the highest across all industries. Despite uncertainty over …

Unions concerned that Australia is falling behind internationally in developing energy industries
1 year, 7 months ago

Unions concerned that Australia is falling behind internationally in developing energy industries

ABC  

It has being dubbed a renaissance in American manufacturing. A once-in-a-generation opportunity The UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures last year found Australia needs 12,000 new workers in renewable energy by 2025. Ms O'Neil says it's all about framing Australia’s transition to a renewable energy manufacturing hub as a massive opportunity for new jobs. "National prosperity is sitting on a pretty …

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 …

The World’s Biggest Economies Cautiously Open Their Doors to More Foreign Worker
1 year, 10 months ago

The World’s Biggest Economies Cautiously Open Their Doors to More Foreign Worker

Live Mint  

Migration to affluent countries is at record highs, and some nations short of workers are overcoming political opposition to open their borders even wider, hoping to fill jobs and ease inflation. South Korea plans to admit 110,000 low-skill foreign workers this year to work in industries such as farming and manufacturing, up nearly 60% from last year’s quota. Spain amended …

Australia lifts minimum wage for skilled migrant workers
1 year, 10 months ago

Australia lifts minimum wage for skilled migrant workers

The Hindu  

Australia will end a decade-old freeze on the minimum wage for skilled migrant workers as part of an overhaul of what the government described Thursday as a broken migration system that fosters exploitation and favors attracting low-paid employees over filling critical skill shortages. A government statement released Thursday said that “around 90% of all full-time jobs in Australia are now …

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 …

Building challenges are starting to ease, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to find a tradie
2 years, 2 months ago

Building challenges are starting to ease, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to find a tradie

ABC  

For more than two years, Colleen has been stuck in construction purgatory. "Completion rates of apprentices have been around the 50 per cent mark for a number of years, so that's been an issue that has been contributing to that churn of labour in the construction sector." Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn says it was clear that, prior …

Half of the migrant engineers in Australia are either unemployed or working in other sectors, despite their qualifications
2 years, 5 months ago

Half of the migrant engineers in Australia are either unemployed or working in other sectors, despite their qualifications

ABC  

When Ritesh Mahato emigrated from India to Australia in 2017 to pursue an engineering career, he was prepared for competition. Key points: Half of all qualified migrant engineers in Australia cannot get work in the field The nation's current shortage of 30,000 engineers is forecast to reach 100,000 by 2030 Emigrant Ritesh Mahato says having accreditation is not enough to …

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 …

Agriculture visa to be ditched, Labor says, looking to Pacific to fill worker shortage as election looms
2 years, 10 months ago

Agriculture visa to be ditched, Labor says, looking to Pacific to fill worker shortage as election looms

ABC  

A federal Labor government would effectively axe Australia's agriculture visa before a foreign worker could arrive on the scheme, the party has announced. Key points: The agriculture visa was announced by the Coalition last year but no workers have arrived on the scheme An Albanese government would pay travel costs associated with bringing workers from the Pacific The VFF says …

Australia says it has a labour shortage, but some migrants have spent years waiting for their skilled visas
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia says it has a labour shortage, but some migrants have spent years waiting for their skilled visas

ABC  

Huang Yiwen has been waiting for her permanent residency visa for just over two years. Key points: Australia hopes the international border reopening may ease the labour crisis, yet visa processing times have doubled Some skilled Chinese migrants have been waiting up to three years to get their Australian permanent residency approved The government says it is prioritising applications in …

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 …

Public infrastructure projects at risk of COVID-induced skilled labour shortage, report finds
3 years, 5 months ago

Public infrastructure projects at risk of COVID-induced skilled labour shortage, report finds

ABC  

Government investment in bridges, roads and railways is expected to double in coming years, but a new report has warned the spending blitz could be undermined by one of the worst skills shortages in decades. Key points: By 2023, one in three skilled positions may go unfilled, a report has found Disrupted training and skilled migration programs during the COVID-19 …

Australia still suffering critical skilled worker shortages despite decades of mass immigration
3 years, 8 months ago

Australia still suffering critical skilled worker shortages despite decades of mass immigration

ABC  

Nades and Priya Murugappan made a fundamental mistake when they separately fled to Australia from Sri Lanka almost a decade ago. "Pending nomination and/or visa applications will not be adversely impacted by the subsequent removal of any occupation from the skilled occupation list," the Home Affairs department website says. Somewhere along the way, however, canny politicians figured out the great …

Wage dynamics in Australia have been permanently changed by foreign labour
3 years, 8 months ago

Wage dynamics in Australia have been permanently changed by foreign labour

ABC  

Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe says the ability of Australia's employers to "tap" global labour markets for foreign workers may have permanently changed wage dynamics in Australia. Key points: The last time wages growth in Australia was above 3 per cent was a decade ago RBA governor Philip Lowe says wage dynamics have been permanently altered by foreign labour It …

Australia’s reservoir of workers is starting to run low and that might just get you a pay rise
3 years, 8 months ago

Australia’s reservoir of workers is starting to run low and that might just get you a pay rise

ABC  

Think of Australia’s labour force as a reservoir. The Reserve Bank governor says Australia will probably maintain record low interest rates for longer than other developed nations because of weaker wages growth. Speaking after the RBA’s board meeting on Tuesday, he said borders would probably have to stay closed for another 18 months to two years before wage dynamics became …

Unemployment is back near pre-pandemic levels. A CBA economist says missing foreign workers are one reason why
3 years, 9 months ago

Unemployment is back near pre-pandemic levels. A CBA economist says missing foreign workers are one reason why

ABC  

We know employment in Australia has rebounded strongly from the recession. He says the monthly labour force data is excluding a vital element of Australia's labour force: foreign workers who've been working in Australia for less than 12 months. He says short-term foreign workers, as a share of total workers, has been fairly stable for the last 20 years, sitting …

Regional job vacancies hit an all time high but lack of workers leaves employers desperate
3 years, 10 months ago

Regional job vacancies hit an all time high but lack of workers leaves employers desperate

ABC  

The demand for workers in regional Australia has hit an all-time high, surpassing the demand seen during the mining boom a decade ago, according to data from the Regional Australia Institute. Key points: There are now 66,200 job vacancies in regional areas That's 10 per cent higher than during the mining boom Lack of migrant workers is a key factor …

Skilled migrants the missing link in Australia's post-COVID recovery
3 years, 11 months ago

Skilled migrants the missing link in Australia's post-COVID recovery

ABC  

Plenty of economic reports come across my desk on a daily basis. Lack of skilled migrants Later in the SEEK media release, the online job "There are likely many reasons contributing to this decline, a reduced labour supply impacting the ability to fill roles," SEEK managing director Kendra Banks notes. Independent economist Angela Jackson explains this "reduced supply" directly relates …

Worker shortage forces farmers to consider automation, cutting long-term seasonal job opportunities
4 years, 1 month ago

Worker shortage forces farmers to consider automation, cutting long-term seasonal job opportunities

ABC  

The worker shortage crisis is forcing some farmers to move towards more automation, replacing seasonal employment opportunities in Australia long term. Key points: Ausveg CEO James Whiteside says without international workers farmers will not be able to grow and harvest many of their crops Potatoes are the biggest vegetable commodity grown in Australia by volume with more than 1.3 million …

Overqualified migrants present a $6 billion opportunity for Australia's economy, study shows
5 years, 2 months ago

Overqualified migrants present a $6 billion opportunity for Australia's economy, study shows

ABC  

Qusay Al-Turkey was a distinguished archaeologist, author, university professor and media commentator back in his home country of Iraq, before moving to Perth in 2017. Key points: Migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds face hurdles gaining work face hurdles gaining work Researchers say migrant workers could add $6 billion to the economy Employers looking for skilled workers have been urged to give …

'Doctors and engineers end up driving taxis': The uphill battle facing migrants to Australia
5 years, 4 months ago

'Doctors and engineers end up driving taxis': The uphill battle facing migrants to Australia

ABC  

Manal Aqrawe is a doctor with more than 20 years of experience, but she can't get a job in Australia — even outside medicine. "The reason was due to lack of local experience or local referees, and huge competition for limited job vacancies," she tells RN's This Working Life. The opportunity gap Migrants who've settled in Australia in the last …

Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Australia survey shows household income dived since 2009
5 years, 7 months ago

Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Australia survey shows household income dived since 2009

Daily Mail  

Australian households are earning less than they did during the global financial crisis a decade ago. Australian households are earning less than they did during the global financial crisis a decade ago They have fallen from $80,637 in 2009 to $80,095 eight years later, new data from the Melbourne Institute's annual Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia study for …

Want to move to Australia? You may have to forget Sydney and Melbourne
6 years, 5 months ago

Want to move to Australia? You may have to forget Sydney and Melbourne

Live Mint  

Canberra: New migrants wanting to settle in Australia may soon face a big condition on their stay: Sydney and Melbourne will be off limits. “In that time, the evidence suggests that many will make it their home for the long term.” The measures may affect just under half of the total intake, specifically those not “There clearly is a concentration …

Mining jobs increase across Australia on the back of surging commodity prices
7 years, 8 months ago

Mining jobs increase across Australia on the back of surging commodity prices

ABC  

As activity and commodity prices across the resources sector ramp up, so too have job vacancies across Australia. Mining job demand by state Western Australia Geologists Drill and blast specialists Metallurgists Queensland Dragline operators Diesel fitters Drill and blast Northern Territory Mechanical fitters Electrical fitters Diesel fitters Supervisors Engineers South Australia Rubber liners Belt splicers New South Wales Mechanical fitters …

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 …

As US visa troubles deepen, more Indians look to come back
7 years, 11 months ago

As US visa troubles deepen, more Indians look to come back

Live Mint  

New Delhi: More Indians living in the US want a job back home after Donald Trump became the president of the world’s largest economy. The number of Indians in the US searching for jobs in India has gone up more than 10-fold between December and March, according to an analysis by consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Pvt. US Citizenship and …

To tackle unemployment, Australia scraps visa programme for skilled workers used largely by Indians
7 years, 11 months ago

To tackle unemployment, Australia scraps visa programme for skilled workers used largely by Indians

Firstpost  

Australia on Tuesday abolished a visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, the majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. Melbourne: Australia on Tuesday abolished a visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, the majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. The programme known as 457 …

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 …

How migrant workers are critical to the future of the agricultural industry
8 years, 5 months ago

How migrant workers are critical to the future of the agricultural industry

ABC  

More than 900,000 immigrants on permanent and temporary visas enter Australia each year. Loading YouTube content The Pacific seasonal workers program allows workers from East Timor, Nauru, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to work in low-skilled jobs for up to seven months in a 12-month period. Many permanent and temporary immigrants in the bush, …

High Court rules foreign workers require Australian visas for offshore projects
8 years, 6 months ago

High Court rules foreign workers require Australian visas for offshore projects

ABC  

The Maritime Union of Australia is hailing a High Court decision it says will protect local jobs and prevent the exploitation of foreign workers in the offshore oil and gas industry. Working visa exemption opened door to foreign crews The MUA is one of the two unions which led the challenge in the High Court, and it described the decision …

Andrew Robb responds to ABC Fact Check
9 years, 7 months ago

Andrew Robb responds to ABC Fact Check

ABC  

A "verdict" by ABC's "Fact Check" that our landmark China-Australia Free Trade Agreement allows Chinese companies to bring in workers for major projects without offering the jobs to Australian workers first is dead wrong. These are the real facts: Investment Facilitation Arrangements negotiated in parallel to ChAFTA will not reduce existing migration safeguards or permit overseas workers to work in …

China-Australia Free Trade Agreement puts local jobs at risk, unions, industry groups say
9 years, 9 months ago

China-Australia Free Trade Agreement puts local jobs at risk, unions, industry groups say

ABC  

Unions and industry groups say the free trade deal between Australia and China will put jobs at risk. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement gives Australian companies greater access to the Chinese market but it also allows more Chinese workers including tradespeople to work in Australia on temporary skilled migration visas. Free trade agreement does not support local jobs: Unions The …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

失业率攀升 澳削减技术移民-英语点津
16 years ago

失业率攀升 澳削减技术移民-英语点津

China Daily  

在失业率不断攀升的情况下，移民大国澳大利亚16日宣布将削减14％的技术移民名额，把工作机会留给本国公民。澳大利亚移民部长克里斯•埃文斯表示，2009年至2010年澳大利亚的技术移民名额将从13.35万名减少到11.5万名。移民要求的职业也会有所减少。据报道，由于澳大利亚国内建筑工人需求下降，砌砖工、水管工、焊接工和木匠等职业将从移民名单中移除。5月12日即将宣布的移民计划中只将医疗卫生行业、工程师及信息技术人员列为需要引入移民的职业。 Australia will cut its intake of migrants for the first time in a decade, the government said yesterday, amid concern that skilled foreign workers could stoke resentment by taking jobs at a time of rising unemployment. Australia will cut its intake of migrants for the first time in a decade, the government said yesterday, amid concern that skilled foreign …

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