Migrant workers on 457 visas will get same wage as local workers

It won’t be too long when skilled migrants who are employed on temporary visas will get paid similar rates as are given to local workers doing the same job.

It has been made mandatory for employers to pay an immigration specific wage of around $43,000 to 457 visa workers, irrespective of the sector in which they work.

It won’t be too long when skilled migrants who are employed on temporary visas will get paid similar rates as are given to local workers doing the same job.

It has been made mandatory for employers to pay an immigration specific wage of around $43,000 to 457 visa workers, irrespective of the sector in which they work.

The main purpose of the new market rates which are to be implemented from mid-September is to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers.

The change comes after Barbara Deegan, an industrial relations expert, made recommendations asking to review the integrity of the 457 scheme.

Another noteworthy fact is that the standards for minimum English requirements of temporary migrant workers in departments of trade occupations and hospitality would also be raised.

As a result of this, standards in English language requirements for temporary workers will be similar to that of migrant workers who come on permanent sponsored visas.

In order to make sure that the skills of migrant workers are up to the mark in context to Australian workforce, a formal skills assessment procedure will also be established.

In addition to all these, before a visa is approved, employers will be required to show a strong record of hiring local labor and training overseas workers.

Chris Evans, Immigration Minister, said that the changes are introduced due to concerns among many that migrant workers who do not have much knowledge of English are exploited by employers in Australia.