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Government must reform 457 visa scheme
Friday 12 February 2010
Greens MP and industrial relations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, commenting on the Rudd government's refusal to reform the controversial 457 visa scheme for temporary overseas workers, said the result will be further deskilling of the local workforce and abuses of overseas employees.
('Union takes on Labor over foreigners,' page 1 SMH, February 12, 2010 )
"The Rudd Government's passion for free trade at all cost is resulting in the 457 visa scheme for temporary foreign workers undermining local working conditions and leaving overseas workers more vulnerable to threats of deportation," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Greens congratulate the CFMEU for its exposure of Federal Labor's failure to reform the 457 visa scheme which Howard modified in 2001 by dropping the requirement for labor market testing.
"Last year Prime Minister Rudd used a 7,000 word essay to attack neo-liberalism. But the real story is that free trade agreements are the back-bone of neo-liberalism and Federal Labor's passion for them is hurting local workers.
"Unions and the Greens supported this scheme when it required employers to give preference to Australian workers before bringing in overseas workers.
"The removal of the labor market testing requirement has serious implications for Australia's labour conditions.
"The 457 visa scheme should have been carefully directed to industries and services where there was a genuine skills shortage. Too often the scheme is abused by unscrupulous employers after a quick profit.
"The current scheme, which abandons labour market testing, legitimises many of the appalling practices that some companies have used to exploit overseas workers and avoid employing locals.
"The 457 scheme hurts both Australian workers and developing economies. By setting the bar so low, overseas countries, often developing countries, lose their precious skilled labour and young workers in Australia lose their chance for skills development.
"One of the banes of scheme is it ties vulnerable overseas workers to a single employer. If they lose their job they often lose their right to stay in the country. This leaves overseas workers open to abuse and often unwilling to stand up for rights local workers insist on.
"With employers no longer having to test the labour market before bringing in overseas workers, the 457 visa scheme has become a substitute for local skills development.
"It is time the federal government reintroduced labour market testing, mandatory payment of market rates and employment of 457 visa workers on collective agreements," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.
