Minister welcomes positive outcome from abattoir meeting
Friday, 4 April 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today said he was pleased that a roundtable meeting had resolved migrant worker issues surrounding the Western Exporters abattoir.
Senator Evans said he had convened the meeting in Brisbane urgently after the company claimed it would be forced to shut down its operations due to labour shortages.
‘I understand that the outcome was a positive one for all involved,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The indications are that, based on yesterday’s discussions, the meat works will remain operational which is a good result for the town of Charleville and the local economy.
‘It means that local jobs will be protected and that skilled migrant workers at the abattoir will not be displaced.’
Western Exporters management met with officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) along with representatives from the Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union and the Queensland Government.
Senator Evans said that Western Exporters had agreed to meet industry standard conditions required to sign up to a Labour Agreement that will enable the company to employ temporary skilled migrant workers.
In particular, Western Exporters provided undertakings to DEEWR in relation to the training requirements needed before a Labour Agreement can be approved by the Commonwealth.
‘On this basis, access to a Labour Agreement can now be progressed by my department,’ Senator Evans said.
Western Exporters has advised that the plant will resume operations within the next fortnight.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08030.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST