Aussie Workers Union Accuses Australian, Foreign Employers of Exploiting Overseas Skilled Workers

Are foreign workers being exploited by their employers in Australia?

This is the sentiment brought up by the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) who claims that hundreds of non-Australian workers are being taken advantage under the 457 visa.

The union said that Australian and foreign employers are active in sponsoring overseas skilled workers who are only sometimes given false hopes of permanent employment.

"We're seeing more and more of this type of exploitation," AMWU secretary Paul Bastian said.

According to AMWU, overseas workers from a certain community across two states.have been held bondage by huge debts because of the loans they took out just to acquire the 457 visa. These workers were apparently willing to get loans with very high interest rates just to have the opportunity to work and live in Australia.

Mr. Bastian said that these workers, who have very little options, have been the target of unfair treatment.

"What we must have is genuine labour market tests. The employer must be able to discharge an onus that there is a genuine shortage and a genuine need that they can't fill from Australian labour," Mr. Bastian said.

"Then when they get 457 visa workers, those workers must be afforded the same rights as any worker in this country."

Mr Bastian refused to identify the community being exploited.

The 457 visa is the most commonly used scheme by Australian or international employers who wish to sponsor overseas skilled workers.

Holders of this visa are allowed to work in Australia for a period of three months to four years and are entitled to bring their eligible family members who are likewise granted work and study rights in the country. The 457 visa, which has been renamed to Subclass 457 in 2012, allows holders to travel in and out of Australia without limit.

Recently, there has been a rapid rise in the number of 457 visa holders converting to Australian permanent residency status. This is becoming common as more temporary visa holders look to permanently settling in the country and become Australian citizens.