Minister calls for tougher employer scrutiny for skills migration
Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk has called on the Federal Government to tighten up a temporary work visa scheme, amid concerns that some workers may be being underpaid. Ms Quirk, who is responsible for skilled migration to Western Australia, said the 457 visa scheme allowed temporary entry to foreign workers to fill particular skilled vacancies that could not be filled by local workers. "The Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship's revelation at a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday that it was talking to State Governments about entering into arrangements for a database for rogue employers is news to me," the Minister said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk has called on the Federal Government to tighten up a temporary work visa scheme, amid concerns that some workers may be being underpaid.
Ms Quirk, who is responsible for skilled migration to Western Australia, said the 457 visa scheme allowed temporary entry to foreign workers to fill particular skilled vacancies that could not be filled by local workers.
“The Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s revelation at a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday that it was talking to State Governments about entering into arrangements for a database for rogue employers is news to me,” the Minister said.
“While I have seen no evidence to suggest that WA employers are rorting the scheme to drive down wages costs, the State Government has continually urged the Federal Government to be vigilant.”
Ms Quirk said that under the 457 visa scheme, the minimum wage foreign workers could earn in WA’s booming economy was $41,850.
“The Federal Government should also be scrutinising the activities of overseas employment agents, who may place more importance on their own fees and charges than the welfare of the people they are placing in Australian jobs,” she said.
The Minister said the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s revelations vindicated the WA Government’s refusal to grant regional waivers on salaries under the scheme and its cautious approach to entering into labour agreements with the Federal Government and employer groups.
Ms Quirk called on any foreign workers in WA who believed they were being exploited to contact the Small Business Development Corporation on 131 BIZ ( 131 249 ).
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