Businesses fear abolishing the 457 visa program will make it harder to bring in some types of workers they say are as “rare as hen’s teeth” in WA. Source: The West
While unions complained the changes did not go far enough, the business community was apprehensive about axing a program that had helped keep some kitchens, abattoirs and IT firms, among others, going.
The scapping of 457 visas has received mixed reactions from business groups and unions The Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned the Government not to make it harder to import workers.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union national secretary Dave Noonan expected the changes would not be uniform. He said China free trade agreement loopholes made it easier to import Chinese workers even if they did not meet criteria.
“There are so many holes in this announcement you could drive a truck through it,” he said.
Maritime Union of Australia WA branch secretary Chris Cain said unions should have input into any changes.
The Business Council of Australia said in a statement: “If we’re serious about getting Australians into skilled jobs, we must also revitalise our neglected vocational education and training system which has been treated like the poor cousin of the universities.
“We also need to look at the kinds of incentives that could encourage Australians to take up jobs in regional areas.”
