Calls for review of Australian visa holders work rights
August 27 2009 by Matt Jones
CFMEU calls for Australia visa changes
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in Australia, which represents workers in those industries, is calling for new restrictions to be put on foreigners studying in Australia.
The union has grown concerned that students who are holders of an Australia visa are so preoccupied with gaining the experience needed to apply for permanent residency that they will work for very little or for nothing.
This concern regarding Australian immigration is thought of in terms of the welfare of the students and the welfare of Australian workers in industries affected by cheap student labour. The union’s request follows weeks of campaigning for measures to ensure that educational, housing and lifestyle standards are improved for young people living in Australia on student visas.
In order to apply for permanent residency, graduates and other immigrants must have gained 12 months experience in the industry in which they intend to work. This has led to students compromising their studies and working on extremely low wages.
Campaigners are now calling for restrictions on the amount Australian student visa holders can work. They also want students to have to prove they have sufficient funds, in the realm of AU$20,000, to gain the right to study after making the move to Australia.
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