Australian visa holders receive payrise
May 15 2009 by Gareth McConnell
New measures to ensure overseas workers on Australian visas are paid the same as local workers are being introduced by Australian immigration.
Australian visa holders in the 457 program are now to be paid at least AUS$ 43,000 ($32k/ £21.5k) regardless of the sector they are working in.
The new measures are intended to prevent workers who speak little English, being exploited and paid below-standard salaries.
Further changes include the introduction of tougher minimum standards for English among skilled workers applying for jobs in Australia. A skills assessment process is also to be put in place to ensure migrants have the skills necessary for the Australian workplace.
Employers who hope to employ Australian visa holders will need to demonstrate a good record of training and employing local workers, under the new scheme.
Australian immigration minister, Chris Evans, says that these measures need to be implemented despite the downturn in the number of Australian visas being granted, to ensure people moving to Australia are not exploited.
Evans states, "the slowdown in the Australian economy in the wake of the global financial crisis and the subsequent decline in demand for 457 visas has not diminished the need to implement these measures and restore public confidence in the program."
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