Government must address 457 visa fraud allegations
Reports of widespread fraud in the 457 visa scheme reinforce concerns unions have about abuse of the scheme.
“Unions have always had concerns that employers were abusing the 457 visa program to bring in cheaper labour from overseas,” said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver.
“Now we have reports that the 457 visas scheme is the subject of widespread fraud and there are diminishing resources for the Department to police it.”
“Unemployment hit a 12 year high and youth unemployment is in double digits, yet there is no requirement for employers to invest in training so they are going overseas to fill those jobs.”
At the same time the number of workers on 457 visas is increasing.
“The Government must use the 457 visa review to strengthen the scheme so employers have to genuinely try to recruit and train local workers, as well as ensuring that foreign workers are employed under the same pay and conditions as Australian workers,” said Mr Oliver.
