Source: CFMEU C & G News
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said today that new figures provide more evidence the Abbott government is not serious about protecting Australian jobs.
Immigration Department figures show that at 31 December 2013, the total number of 457 visa holders in Australia was 178,980[1], an increase of 11,960 or 7.6 per cent more than the numbers at end-December 2012.
The 457 figures were released the same day as the ANZ Job vacancies survey, showing a continuing decline in job vacancies Australia-wide in January 2014, after a 10 per cent decline over 2013 as a whole.
“The number of 457 visa holders in Australia should not be increasing, it should be falling,” CFMEU National Assistant Secretary Dave Noonan said today.
“The Australian job market is in a desperate state, especially for young people, and the Abbott government’s temporary visa policies are making it much worse for them.
“As well as refusing assistance to the car industry and SPC, the Government itself is predicting that unemployment will rise to 6.25 per cent. That means it will be even tougher for young people looking for apprenticeships and their first full-time job.”
“But incredibly the Abbott government allows the vast majority of employers to get 457 visas for foreign nationals, without even having to advertise the jobs for Australian workers let alone prove that none were available.
“And in the few cases where employers do have to ‘search’ for Australian workers before 457 visa workers are approved, employers can easily avoid their legal responsibility to employ Australians first – because the government has given employers so many loopholes.”
Other figures released today show that the number of young foreign nationals aged 18-30 in Australia on Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) has also continued to soar. At 31 December 2013, there were 178,980 WHV holders in Australia – up 16,500 on end-December 2012, or a 10 per cent increase.
“The WHV program currently has no caps on numbers of visas granted and is poorly regulated in the workplace, disadvantaging young Australian job seekers. Among other things, employers currently transfer over 10,000 WHV holders per year straight on to 457 visas, bypassing young Australians.
“The WHV program must be brought under much more control, with numbers capped to start with.”
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Abbott's Society Denial at Davros
Tony Abbott’s World Economic Forum speech can be juxtaposed with President Obama’s State of Union address delivered several days later on January 28.
Obama’s key message is that there is a divide in the United States that has been growing over the past 30 years, exacerbated by the global financial crisis, and unresolved through recent economic growth and record levels of business profitability. The divide is embedded in the labour market where there have been massive losses of middle income jobs and reduced opportunities for upward social mobility.
The same story is painted by the OECD across member countries in its 2013 report on inequality and poverty. The International Labour Organisation’s Global Employment Trends 2013 also reflects consternation on the slow recovery of middle level jobs following the financial crisis which has translated into growing inequality in many countries.
The role of the super rich
Robert Reich’s new documentary 'Inequality for All' explores why inequality has been so crippling in the USA. While the fruits of growth are disproportionately absorbed by the wealthy through profits, there is depressed demand for goods and services by the rest of society. The small minority of the super rich do not drive consumption in the way that a thriving middle class can and this effect dampens economic activity. It also stalls upward social mobility.
Oxfam goes further in its new report, 'Working for the Few', released for the World Economic Forum. It examines the link between “capture” of the very wealthy of the political process where there is high inequality which subsequently corrupts the operation of markets and ultimately deadens and distorts growth.
Tony Abbott might argue that the scenarios painted in these reports do not apply in Australia. But the OECD report on inequality and poverty shows that Australia has a robust level of income inequality, not as high as in the USA or Mexico, but certainly not at the low end of a number of European countries.
From Veronica Sheen - 'The Conversation'
Obama’s key message is that there is a divide in the United States that has been growing over the past 30 years, exacerbated by the global financial crisis, and unresolved through recent economic growth and record levels of business profitability. The divide is embedded in the labour market where there have been massive losses of middle income jobs and reduced opportunities for upward social mobility.
The same story is painted by the OECD across member countries in its 2013 report on inequality and poverty. The International Labour Organisation’s Global Employment Trends 2013 also reflects consternation on the slow recovery of middle level jobs following the financial crisis which has translated into growing inequality in many countries.
The role of the super rich
Robert Reich’s new documentary 'Inequality for All' explores why inequality has been so crippling in the USA. While the fruits of growth are disproportionately absorbed by the wealthy through profits, there is depressed demand for goods and services by the rest of society. The small minority of the super rich do not drive consumption in the way that a thriving middle class can and this effect dampens economic activity. It also stalls upward social mobility.
Oxfam goes further in its new report, 'Working for the Few', released for the World Economic Forum. It examines the link between “capture” of the very wealthy of the political process where there is high inequality which subsequently corrupts the operation of markets and ultimately deadens and distorts growth.
Tony Abbott might argue that the scenarios painted in these reports do not apply in Australia. But the OECD report on inequality and poverty shows that Australia has a robust level of income inequality, not as high as in the USA or Mexico, but certainly not at the low end of a number of European countries.
From Veronica Sheen - 'The Conversation'
Darwin: Workers say no to cuts to jobs and services
04 February, 2014 | ACTU Media Release
ACTU President Ged Kearney today warned workers in the NT that the Abbott Government is using job losses and industry uncertainty to go after wages and conditions.
Speaking to workers at Nightcliff Family Centre in Darwin, Ms Kearney said not only was Mr Abbott not standing up for local jobs, but he was actually blaming workers for the tough economic conditions.
"It hasn't taken Mr Abbott long to show his true colours as Prime Minister; leading for Corporate Australia and leaving workers and communities behind," Ms Kearney said.
"Mr Abbott had no trouble telling workers he'd stick up for them when he was out campaigning to become Prime Minister, but when it mattered, he didn't stand up for those workers or for their jobs.
“Thankfully Rio Tinto has announced a rescue package to help locals when it closes its Gove alumina refinery later this year, because we know the Federal Government would not help those workers.”
“More than 1,000 people will be out of work which is devastating for those communities.”
This comes as the Northern Territory Government plans to cut public service budgets by 10 per cent which could lead to up to 2000 jobs lost.
"Blaming workers is also a disgrace but very obviously part of Mr Abbott's plan to drive down wages and conditions across the country."
Ms Kearney is visiting Darwin as part of a national two week tour of workplaces to discuss the dangerous direction being set by the Abbott Government, in particular the secretive agenda of the Commission of Audit.
"Mr Abbott is seeking to pursue an extreme agenda of privatisation and cuts to jobs and services, and do it all behind closed doors with the help of Corporate Australia," Ms Kearney said.
"I'm here today to give these workers a voice and send a message to Mr Abbott in Canberra that working Australians won't sit back while he sets out to attack their wages and conditions."
ACTU President Ged Kearney today warned workers in the NT that the Abbott Government is using job losses and industry uncertainty to go after wages and conditions.
Speaking to workers at Nightcliff Family Centre in Darwin, Ms Kearney said not only was Mr Abbott not standing up for local jobs, but he was actually blaming workers for the tough economic conditions.
"It hasn't taken Mr Abbott long to show his true colours as Prime Minister; leading for Corporate Australia and leaving workers and communities behind," Ms Kearney said.
"Mr Abbott had no trouble telling workers he'd stick up for them when he was out campaigning to become Prime Minister, but when it mattered, he didn't stand up for those workers or for their jobs.
“Thankfully Rio Tinto has announced a rescue package to help locals when it closes its Gove alumina refinery later this year, because we know the Federal Government would not help those workers.”
“More than 1,000 people will be out of work which is devastating for those communities.”
This comes as the Northern Territory Government plans to cut public service budgets by 10 per cent which could lead to up to 2000 jobs lost.
"Blaming workers is also a disgrace but very obviously part of Mr Abbott's plan to drive down wages and conditions across the country."
Ms Kearney is visiting Darwin as part of a national two week tour of workplaces to discuss the dangerous direction being set by the Abbott Government, in particular the secretive agenda of the Commission of Audit.
"Mr Abbott is seeking to pursue an extreme agenda of privatisation and cuts to jobs and services, and do it all behind closed doors with the help of Corporate Australia," Ms Kearney said.
"I'm here today to give these workers a voice and send a message to Mr Abbott in Canberra that working Australians won't sit back while he sets out to attack their wages and conditions."
Fiji: Victory for Union Leaders
Great news from Fiji -- charges have been dropped against the trade union leaders.
A little more than a week ago, I wrote to ask for your support for a new campaign. We were demanding that the government of Fiji drop all charges against trade union leaders, including Daniel Urai (pictured above).
As I wrote then, "the Fijian regime declared the strike illegal and arrested the leadership of the union ... Bail conditions for the arrested leaders include not repeating the "offence" of calling a strike, so that if negotiations do not resolve the dispute and the union decides to hold another strike before the case is heard (which could be months, as it often is in Fiji), their leaders will be carted off to jail forthwith."
But now the charges have been dropped and we've suspended our online campaign.
The Fiji Trades Union Congress has thanked all of us for our support. The International Union of Food Workers, which sponsored the LabourStart campaign and which ran a parallel campaign of its own, issued this statement. The British TUC which was very involved in launching this campaign ran this short article by Owen Tudor on its Stronger Unions blog. And of course there's lots more on LabourStart's own Fiji labour news page.
I want to thank every one of you, and especially the more than 7,500 of you who sent off messages to the government of Fiji.
Our voices were heard. Our campaign worked.
Solidarity forever!
Eric Lee - LabourStart
A little more than a week ago, I wrote to ask for your support for a new campaign. We were demanding that the government of Fiji drop all charges against trade union leaders, including Daniel Urai (pictured above).
As I wrote then, "the Fijian regime declared the strike illegal and arrested the leadership of the union ... Bail conditions for the arrested leaders include not repeating the "offence" of calling a strike, so that if negotiations do not resolve the dispute and the union decides to hold another strike before the case is heard (which could be months, as it often is in Fiji), their leaders will be carted off to jail forthwith."
But now the charges have been dropped and we've suspended our online campaign.
The Fiji Trades Union Congress has thanked all of us for our support. The International Union of Food Workers, which sponsored the LabourStart campaign and which ran a parallel campaign of its own, issued this statement. The British TUC which was very involved in launching this campaign ran this short article by Owen Tudor on its Stronger Unions blog. And of course there's lots more on LabourStart's own Fiji labour news page.
I want to thank every one of you, and especially the more than 7,500 of you who sent off messages to the government of Fiji.
Our voices were heard. Our campaign worked.
Solidarity forever!
Eric Lee - LabourStart
Monday, February 03, 2014
Abbott's War On Wages
02 February, 2014 | ACTU Media Release
The Abbott Government’s reluctance to step up to the challenge and save jobs and industries is a smokescreen for cuts to wages and conditions, said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver.
“In a blatant attempt to spread misinformation the Abbott Government seeks to blame hardworking Australians instead of attributing blame where it belongs: cheap imports and a high dollar,” he said.
“We have already seen the Abbott Government allow the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, going so far as to goad Holden to leave. Unfortunately they are demonstrating a costly pattern of turning their backs on workers.”
“Now they are happy to send a clear message to SPC that they will not support industries, communities or workers.”
“This will have a devastating impact on Shepparton and on the fruit processing industry; an unacceptable failure of foresight and wisdom from the Abbott Government.”
“Instead of stepping in to secure people’s jobs, they are using struggling industries to drive down people’s wages and conditions. I fear the legacy of the Abbott Government will be a graveyard of industries and a workforce whose pay and conditions have been slashed to please employers.”
Mr Oliver questioned what the Government’s criteria for providing industry support actually is.
“They’ve got no problem giving up to $4 billion in subsidies to the highly profitable mining sector yet they’ve failed to support thousands of jobs at Holden, SPC and Toyota could be next in line.
“And it should be noted that Mr Abbott was more than happy to hand over $16 million to foreign owned Cadbury in the marginal Tasmanian seat of Denison prior to the election but has now changed his tune.
The Abbott Government’s reluctance to step up to the challenge and save jobs and industries is a smokescreen for cuts to wages and conditions, said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver.
“In a blatant attempt to spread misinformation the Abbott Government seeks to blame hardworking Australians instead of attributing blame where it belongs: cheap imports and a high dollar,” he said.
“We have already seen the Abbott Government allow the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, going so far as to goad Holden to leave. Unfortunately they are demonstrating a costly pattern of turning their backs on workers.”
“Now they are happy to send a clear message to SPC that they will not support industries, communities or workers.”
“This will have a devastating impact on Shepparton and on the fruit processing industry; an unacceptable failure of foresight and wisdom from the Abbott Government.”
“Instead of stepping in to secure people’s jobs, they are using struggling industries to drive down people’s wages and conditions. I fear the legacy of the Abbott Government will be a graveyard of industries and a workforce whose pay and conditions have been slashed to please employers.”
Mr Oliver questioned what the Government’s criteria for providing industry support actually is.
“They’ve got no problem giving up to $4 billion in subsidies to the highly profitable mining sector yet they’ve failed to support thousands of jobs at Holden, SPC and Toyota could be next in line.
“And it should be noted that Mr Abbott was more than happy to hand over $16 million to foreign owned Cadbury in the marginal Tasmanian seat of Denison prior to the election but has now changed his tune.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)