Minister welcomes fine for migrant worker exploitation
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has welcomed a $174 000 fine imposed on a Western Australian construction company for exploiting migrant employees.
The Federal Magistrates' Court in Perth fined Hanssen Pty Ltd for 21 breaches of the Workplace Relations Act after the Commonwealth Workplace Ombudsman found that 15 workers from the Philippines and Ireland employed by the company on 457 visas had been exploited.
‘This penalty should send a strong message to employers that the exploitation of migrant workers will not be tolerated by the Government,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The vast majority of employers do the right thing but when foreign workers employed on 457 visas are being exploited, it undermines confidence in the program.
‘Exploitation of migrant workers is totally unacceptable and rogue employers should expect authorities to come down hard on them.
‘The Rudd Government recognises that we need a strong temporary and permanent skilled migration program to meet the demands of a booming economy.’
Senator Evans said an External Reference Group made up of industry experts was established last month to examine how selected skilled migration measures could help ease labour shortages in the construction, major infrastructure, tourism and the resources sectors.
‘The group will provide advice on ways to ensure the temporary work visa system operates as effectively as possible in contributing to the supply of skilled labour,’ Senator Evans said.
The Minister said the group would ensure any recommended initiatives would complement existing government labour market skills strategies.
‘The Rudd Government is determined to address the issues of skills and labour shortages while protecting the employment and training opportunities for Australian workers,’ Senator Evans said.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08024.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST