CFMEU: Saving Australian Jobs

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says.

“The passage of this piece of legislation will help stop abuses of the system, give Australian workers a fairer chance of getting Australian jobs, and provide much-needed protection for workers on temporary visas,” CFMEU National Assistant Secretary Dave Noonan said.

“The CFMEU has long highlighted abuses of the 457 visa system and the impact of those rorts on Australian workers and vulnerable 457 visa workers.

“This new system puts in place a simple requirement that employers advertise many of the jobs before 457 visas can be approved. Australians overwhelmingly see this as a sensible and overdue reform, as our polling consistently shows, and the Government should be commended for listening.

“With 50% of all 457 visas now going to temporary visa holders already in Australia, effective Labour Market Testing is even more important.”

“The CFMEU believes that as well as job advertising, employers should have to prove that no Australian citizen or permanent resident is available before 457 visas are granted. But mandatory job advertising is an important and essential step in the right direction.

“This 457 bill will help many Australians who are missing out on jobs due to the unscrupulous abuse of 457 visas by employers, many cases of which have been documented by the CFMEU.

“The extra powers and resources that will be given to the Fair Work Commission to investigate breaches of the 457 rules will mean less exploitation of workers on 457 visas.

“The changes will also require employers to invest more in training, instead of relying on short-term solutions to any skills shortages.

“Even though over the last year we have seen thousands of workers lose their jobs across a number of sectors, the number of workers on 457 visas has risen by 20%, often in the same industries. This is reason enough to better regulate our temporary work visa system.

“The CFMEU will continue to campaign for stronger protections in the 457 visa program for both Australian workers and temporary overseas workers,” he concluded.