Australian Unions Up in Arms over Visa Scheme

Australian resource, health and service sector unions are united in calling for a Senate Inquiry into the 457 visa scheme following allegations of widespread rorting.

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said the Government should be tightening up migration controls, particularly as unemployment rises around Australia.

“There are hundreds of seafarers with the right qualifications and certificates raring to go. Add to that plumbers, welders, technicians, electricians, truckies, train drivers and we’re talking thousands of people looking for jobs,” said Bray.

“Unemployment has hit a 12 year high yet instead of tightening up requirements to import labour – the Government is trying to help employers bypass local workers in the Northern Territory under new designated area migration agreements,” said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Submissions to a Government Review into the 457 visa scheme closed four months ago and the Government is still yet to release its report.

“The Government is sitting on the report and failing to properly investigate allegations of abuse of the 457 visa program, while at the same time making it easier for employers to bring in foreign workers in the Northern Territory,” said Kearney.

“A Senate Inquiry should focus on ensuring that there is a transparent and regulated system – that before a company is allowed to sponsor a single 457 visa worker they have genuinely exhausted all local options. We need a system that ensures local jobs and training first,” said Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) National Secretary Paul Bastian.

Unions share concerns that 457 visas are increasingly seen as an alternative to investing in skills training.

All unions are united in their call to ensure that when 457 visas are used, strong safeguards exist to ensure that these workers receive exactly the same rights as Australians – that workers are not exploited or employed outside Australian labour-market protections.

“Australia’s migration program should not be at the beck and call of big business. A Senate Inquiry is the only way to get to the bottom of this Government’s mess,” said Kearney.