The problems of temporary migrant labour could flare up again if an Abbott led coalition takes government, according to one of it’s own MPs.
The new Country Liberal Party member for the seat of Solomon in the Northern Territory, Natasha Griggs, has called for the 457 Visa system to be liberalised.
AMWU members in the NT have called on Ms Griggs to explain how her plans will protect the jobs of local workers.
“The AMWU has worked extraordinarily hard to defend the rights of temporary migrant workers and to end the exploitative practices that have plagued the 457 visa system,” AMWU Territory Organiser Bryan Wilkins said.
“Our efforts have been successful in limiting the ability of employers to use temporary migrant workers to undercut the pay and conditions of Northern Territory Tradespeople.
AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said that going back to the Howard Government’s temporary migrant labour scheme would also cost jobs in boom areas such as Queensland and Western Australia.
“The Coalition has not changed its spots. It still has an ideological view when it comes to the rights of workers, and a complete lack of understanding about the way the economy works and the need for local skills development in this country.
“The Coalition spent the election campaign trying to hide its real agenda, but now that the decision about the next government is beyond the control of voters, they are letting their real agenda slip,” he said.
During the last boom, the Howard Government allowed employers to use the temporary work visas to drive down wages and conditions. The free use of labour from overseas also encouraged companies to under-invest in training and apprenticeship programs, further exacerbating Australia’s skills shortages.
The ease with which migrant workers could be exploited in a largely un-monitored system led to significant cases of exploitation, under-payment, and health and safety breaches including several incidences where migrant workers were killed while working in unsafe conditions.
“The AMWU has brought many cases of 457 visa workers being exploited into the spotlight," Mr Wilkins said.
He cited the example of Rico Mavotas, who was brought to the NT from the Philippines in 2007 to work as a pump technician and then contracted chicken pox.
“Rico was forced to keep working with open lesions and not provided gloves to handle dirt. He then contacted meliodosis and faced deportation as he recovered in hospital,” Mr Wilkins said.
“The union had to work hard to find a new sponsor for him so he wouldn’t be sent home for the crime of falling ill."
After a long AMWU campaign, the new Labor Government significantly tightened the regulations and monitoring of the use of temporary overseas work visas.
These changes included changes that required employers to pay 457 visa workers the same rates and conditions as other workers doing the same job in the workplace.