Cheaper foreign workers under Australia’s new plan

This plan by the federal government aims to ease shortages of workers in Australia.

10 percent lower wages for Australia skilled migrants—Skilled migrants in Australia will be offered ten percent less salaries by employers, as per a latest plan of the federal government.

Details reveal that Australia government will enable employers to offer lower wages along with easing language requirements for foreign workers. This will be done for foreign workers who possess skills in shortage in Australia.

Australia plans to let employers hire foreign skilled workers on ten percent lower wage rates.

As of now, the plan is being introduced to Darwin and it is likely to be introduced to other regions experiencing shift of skilled workers to mining and gas companies. So, relaxation in terms of skill-sets and qualifications for hiring foreign skilled workers will be considered in case the employers or firms are in dire need of workers and are unable to find skilled workforce.

Low wages for skilled foreigners means lowering of Australian wage rate—Meanwhile, it is alleged by many that the plan of hiring foreign skilled workers having skills in high demand in Australia on low wage rates would eventually lead to lowering wage rates for Australians too. Australian wages are going to be down, and this is not a welcoming step, feels Shadow Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor.

Rather, the need of the hour for employers in Australia is to seek workers from within Australia rather than looking overseas, he clarified. He warned that hiring cheap foreign workers would push Australia wages in the dumps.

Focus on upskilling Australians—The government of Australia must focus on upgrading the skills of Australian workers rather than hiring foreign workers on lower wage rates, said Mr. O’Connor.

Only such a move can help in controlling the soaring jobless rates in Australia, he further lamented. No doubt, employers in Australia can look to hire foreign skilled workers for skills in acute shortage in Australia.

But, this should be done only when no suitable local skilled workers are not found, he affirmed.

Which Australia job categories will be governed by new rules?—Well, the proposal of offering 10 percent lower wage rates for temporary foreign workers wanting to work in Australia will be applicable to a number of Australia job categories.

These include carpenters, chefs, nurses, bricklayers, office managers, mechanics, disability carers and childcare workers.

And employers of all sizes shall be authorised to offer sponsorship to foreign workers on ten percent lower wage rates than the normal 457 skilled worker visa wage rates.

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Harleen Kaur

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