Meat worker visas resumed after complaints

Visa deal for migrant meat workers

The government has officially resumed the class-457 visa program for temporary skilled migrants working in the meat industry, following complaints of labour shortages in Western Australia and Queensland.

Last year, while denying there was an official freeze on the visas, former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone stopped issuing class-457 visas for the meat industry amid concerns that some foreign workers were being exploited.

The visas allow Australian employers to import skilled foreign workers to fill temporary vacancies in areas of need.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said he had finalised a new three-year agreement with the West Australian government to bring in skilled meatworkers to cover a labour shortfall.

‘The agreement provides West Australian meat companies with a temporary solution to address the shortage of skilled meat workers, while making sure that the jobs of Australian workers are protected,’ Mr Andrews said in a statement.

‘The agreement provides for strict skills assessment requirements and a minimum salary requirement of $41,850 - the standard minimum salary level - or the relevant industrial instrument, whichever is higher.’

Under the agreement, employers wishing to bring in temporary migrant meatworkers must commit to training Australian workers.

Mr Andrews said WA’s unemployment rate of just 2.7 per cent had resulted in temporary shortages of some workers.

Last week’s federal budget contained $85 million to help stamp out employer abuse of the temporary skilled migration program.

New measures include fines for bosses who exploit workers on class-457 visas, and departmental power to conduct unannounced spot checks of employers and their premises.
The Age, May 16, 2007