February 23, 2013 11:20AM
MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP BRENDAN O'CONNOR IN HIS OFFICE AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN CANBERRA. PICTURE: KYM SMITH NEWS LIMITED
THE federal government is cracking down on the 457 visa scheme for temporary overseas workers, saying it has evidence the program is being used to discriminate against Australians.
mmigration Minister Brendan O'Connor says the 457 visas will be tightened to insure they are only used to address genuine skills shortages, and that local workers are getting a "fair go".
Under the changes, employers will be required to demonstrate they are nominating a position where there is a genuine shortage of workers, while English language requirements for some jobs will also be raised.
Mr O'Connor said compliance and enforcement powers would also be boosted to stop employers who are rorting the system.
"It has become clear ... that the growth in the 457 program is out of step with those skills shortages, and the government has evidence that some employers - and I emphasise that word, some - are using 457 visas to discriminate against locals," Mr O'Connor said in a statement.
"We do not want to punish those employers who have genuine skill shortages and who are using 457 visas in the way that the system is intended.
"But my message to those employers who are either flouting the rules or deliberately overlooking local employees is that the government will not accept these practices."-
See more at: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/visas-for-overseas-workers-to-be-tightened/story-e6frf7jo-1226584022059#sthash.Bt9ukoCZ.dpuf
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