Australia
457visa holders abused
Foreign workers are exploited under the 457 skilled visa scheme, which intends to bring in foreign workers for a period of three months to four years in response labor shortage in Australia. According to the Fairfax reports, employers are breaching the conditions of the visas, e.g., placing workers in jobs they are not trained for, ignoring safety standards and deducting accommodation and meal expenses from salaries.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has ruled out changes to the scheme and rejected calls for an inquiry. He claimed that 457 visa holders have the same rights and protection as their Australian counterparts and can freely complain about their employment conditions. Nevertheless, the government has acknowledged some of the scheme's problems and introduced legislation in the Parliament to broaden the obligations of sponsors and toughen penalties for errant employers. The Human Rights Commission had also asked a Senate inquiry to consider an awareness campaign informing all 457 visa holders of their rights and urging for the inspection of workplaces by federal and state authorities. Starting December 2006, 457 visa holders should be paid at least A$41,850 (or A$37,665 in regional areas). In 2006-2007, the government approved 46,680 457 visas, mostly medical practitioners, nurses and IT specialists.
Criticisms of 457 visa scheme
Opposition leader Kevin Rudd urged the government to examine the effectiveness of monitoring the 457 visa system. The Immigration Department has only 65 officers to monitor compliance with visas for more than 100,000 visa holders. Bob Birrell, director of the Center for Population and Urban Research at Monash University, said that the government sees the 457 visa program as a "mechanism to keep the resource boom going and to prevent wage increases and skills shortages from undercutting the boom." A former public servant, Bab Kinnaird, of R.T. Kinnaird and Associates, said shortcomings in the visa scheme had set up a "race to the bottom in work conditions." Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) National Secretary John Sutton called for an open and transparent probe into the operation of the scheme. In the meantime, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said the government should not extend the scheme to the transport industry.
In related news, the Philippine government called on Australia to modify the 457 skilled visa scheme. Vice-consul in Canberra, Alexander Go, said there should be a system for workers to complain about employment conditions without fear of losing their visas. He also mentioned that those abused and exploited should be allowed to change their employers.
Myriad Human Resources & Services and Joblane Internationa have sent more than 600 and 300 Filipino workers on 457 visas each to Australia in the past two years. Myriad is the agency which sent Pedro Balading, one of the workers who died. Balading allegedly complained to Myriad about his treatment at Wollongorang, but Myriad did not take his concern seriously. Violy Searby of Myriad, however, said that most workers are satisfied with their work since they are well prepared. Joblane is the agency that sent Wilfredo Navales, who died in a factory floor accident. Its Manila-based principal, Tadhg McCarthy, said he was not aware of complaints from Navales about his working conditions.
Changes in GSM program
Starting on 1 September 2007, major changes will be introduced in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, a points-based system designed to bring in skilled foreign workers. Some of the changes include tightening requirements in English language proficiency and work experience and simplifying the GSM visa structure. Applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 6 to meet the English language requirement. Bonus points will be given to those whose scores are above this threshold level. In addition, international students unable to meet the new requirements will have an opportunity to apply for an 18-month Skilled-Graduate visa. The current 15 GSM visa subclasses will be reduced to nine.
Skilled migrants dominate permanent migrants to Australia
As many as 148,200 foreigners were granted permanent visas in 2006-2007, two-thirds were skilled migrants. Britain ranks first (24,800) as the source-country of skilled stream entrants to Australia, followed by India (15,865), China (14,688), South Africa (4,293) and Malaysia (3,838). The average age of skilled stream entrants is 31 years. In spite of slow economic growth in the last decade, Australia is facing a serious skills shortage with the aging workforce retiring in greater numbers. The top occupation for skilled migrants is accountancy (10,688), followed by computing professionals (4,044) and registered nurses (2,088). A growing number of people also want to bring their spouses to Australia; a total of 50,079 family stream visas were issued in 2006-2007, accounting for 33 percent of the total migration program. Britain leads the stream with 6,540, followed by China (6,037), India (3,634), Philippines (3,098) and Vietnam (3,040).
No plan to allow Pacific workers: Labor
The National Farmers Federation and the World Bank have been urging the government to provide short-term visas for workers from Pacific countries struggling with high unemployment. An incoming Labor government, if it wins the election, has no plans to bring in unskilled Pacific Island workers to Australia. Nonetheless, Labor says it will monitor the success of a trial of Pacific labor mobility scheme New Zealand is implementing in cooperation with the World Bank. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said that allowing unskilled foreign workers into the country would drive down wages and conditions without easing skills shortages. He added that this kind of irresponsible policy would prompt a flood of Pacific Islanders arriving by boat. Andrews said the temporary migration program only allows skilled migrants to work in the country and there are no plans to extend it to unskilled seasonal workers.
In related news, the annual survey of Australian opinion about foreign policy by the Lowy Institute shows that Australians favor migrant worker schemes to admit unskilled seasonal workers to pick up fruits. According to the institute, two-thirds of the Australians polled agreed that migrant worker schemes are good because they fill a gap in the labor market and help those from less developed countries. Nonetheless, 41 percent were worried that allowing temporary workers in the country would increase irregular migration. Also, 42 percent were concerned that Australian jobs would be taken away.
Migration laws insufficient: CFMEU
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU – no commas?) welcomed the amendment of Migration Act 1958 that imposes penalties on employers hiring irregular migrant workers. Under the new rules, such employers would be subject to penalties after a warning for a first offence. However, the CFMEU argued that the rules are not sufficient enough to sustain prosecutions. The new rules will take effect on 19 August.
Draft citizenship test unveiled
The government released a document entitled "Becoming an Australian Citizen," outlining citizenship application procedures and detailing the country's history, political institutions and national values, such as freedom of speech, religion and association, gender equality, tolerance and compassion (mateship). To obtain citizenship, applicants are required to answer 12 out of 20 questions, drawn from a list of 200 questions. The new citizenship test is expected to be carried out later this year. Kate Gauthier, the national coordinator of the refugee advocacy group, A Just Australia, condemned the government for introducing a citizenship test, saying many refugees would find it difficult to pass the exam.
Asians flock to Melbourne
Melbourne's ethnic landscape has been rapidly changing with the influx of Asian immigrants in recent years. More than 182,000 immigrants, including 47,000 from China and India, have flowed into the city over the past five years. By contrast, the number of Australia-born residents in suburbs like Clayton and Dandenong has sharply declined over the same period. In 2006, the Indian-born population in the City of Monash increased by 54 percent since the 2001 census. The City of Greater Dandenong had a similar increase. The eastern suburbs of Boroondara Council welcomed 2,620 Indians, up 80 percent five years agor. Some 24,000 Chinese have made Melbourne their home since 2001. The Chinese-born became the top migrant group in Whitehorse, Monash and Manningham. In addition, the Vietnamese-born are concentrated in Brimbank Council, accounting for 9 percent of the population in suburbs like Sunshine and St Albans, while significant Malaysian communities are developing in Monash and Melbourne. Monash University population expert Dr. Bob Birrell said the city lured about a quarter of the 160,000 migrants who came to Australia in 2006-2007.
South Australia welcomes Indian immigrants
South Australia is becoming an important education destination and currently has more than 23,000 overseas students, of whom 2,700 are Indians. In order to attract more international students, mainly Indians, the government of South Australia provides them with opportunities to work part-time. In addition, they would be allowed to stay on up to 18 months in the state after completing their studies. Premier Mike Rann said South Australia is encouraging migrants from India due to their good English and high IT and management skills.
Brisbane court backs Indian doctor
The Federal Court in Brisbane overturned on 21 August the government's decision to revoke the visa for Mohamed Haneef, a 27-year-old Indian doctor, on grounds of his "association" with two of the suspects in the failed car bombings in Britain. The court ruled that Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews failed to provide proper evidence and would thus restore Haneef's visa in 21 days. His lawyer Peter Russo said that Haneef was determined to refute allegations that could damage his career and ability to study internationally. In response, Andrews defended the visa cancellation, saying the decision was made in the national interest. He was backed by Prime Minister John Howard and prominent criminal lawyer and former head of the Australian Crime Commission Peter Faris. The Australian government is expected to lodge an appeal. In the meantime, Labor has called for a judicial inquiry into the government's handling of the case. Haneef was working at a state hospital on the Gold Coast when he was arrested on 2 July and was charged with providing support to a terror group by giving his mobile phone SIM card to his two relatives accused of involvement in London and Glasgow attacks.
More refugees from ME in 2008
With changes in the refugee and humanitarian program, more than 100 refugees from the Middle East will be allowed in Australia in 2008. On the other hand, fewer African refugees will be admitted since the conditions of some countries have improved and more people are returning to their country of origin. Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the increased intake of Iraqis follows an international conference on Iraq convened by the UNHCR in April. The conference urged all host countries to continue providing protection, humanitarian assistance and hospitality to Iraqis.
3 Iraqi diplomats to be granted protection
Three Iraqi diplomats, Brigadier General Sabah Abed al-Kareem Fureje, Colonel Kamal Askander, Alaa Hassan Fathel al-Amiri, and their families will be given protection in Australia. They were working in the Iraqi Embassy in Canberra but were stripped of their diplomatic status and ordered to return to Iraq. News Ltd reports that Colonel Askander and his family faced risk in Iraq because of their Christian faith. General Fureje, who served under the former regime of Saddam Hussein, feared being killed by gangs because of his past position. Foreign Affairs Minster Alexander Downer said that the federal government will not automatically give protection to Iraqis seeking asylum in Australia.
Sri Lankan asylum seekers charged over rape
Six Sri Lankan asylum seekers held on Nauru have been charged over am alleged rape and indecent assault of a 20-year-old Nauruan woman on 27 August. Asylum seekers in the detention center on Nauru are allowed to go out between 8 am and 7 pm. This incident is likely to reopen the debate on the merits of offshore processing of asylum seekers which was introduced in 2001. Labor has vowed to end the system, while the federal government believes the system reduced the numbers of asylum seekers. There are 89 asylum seekers on Nauru.
Chinese deportee missing
A former Chinese hairdresser deported in June may have gone missing on his return to China, according to refugee advocates. His wife and daughter have not heard from him since his deportation from South Australia on 28 June. He was allegedly tortured by the Chinese government for having Tibetan clients. He sought protection in Australia, but his application was rejected.
Baxter detention center to close
The government will close down the Baxter Immigration Detention Center in South Australia. Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the closure of the detention center was possible due to the government's strong border control policies, especially the use of the offshore processing facility on Nauru. The center is currently believed to have only 12 inmates who will be transferred to other immigration facilities.
Working holidays in US proposed
Under a visa deal proposed by the Howard government, high school graduates will be able to spend their gap year working in the US before moving on to further study at university or to work. Some 34,000 Australians aged 17 to 24 take a gap year after high school. Their American counterparts could do the same in Australia before returning home. Apart from the US, there are 19 countries that have mutual arrangements with Australia allowing people aged 18 to 30 to take working holidays for up to a year.
ePassports in 8 years
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) expects all Australians will be using ePassports within eight years. More than 2.5 million Australians have already been issued ePassports since 2005. The executive director of the Australian Passport Office, Bob Nash, said Australia was one of the first countries to adopt the ePassport technology and is at the forefront of this global development.
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