Released on = December 2, 2006, 1:42 am

Press Release Author = Neoli Marcos

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = The Department of Immigraton and Multicultural Affairs
(DIMA) reiterates its stand in protecting foreign workers who have migrated to
Australia under the 457 Australian visa.

Press Release Body = The Department of Immigraton and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA)
reiterates its stand in protecting foreign workers who have migrated to Australia
under the 457 Australian visa.

Despite sanctions against Australian companies who exploit skilled migrants and
breach their sponsorship obligations, there still are reported cases of underpaid
employees, arbitrary deductions, unfair working conditions, and other negligence.

According to the DIMA, the average salary that an overseas workers under the 457
program should be getting is in excess of $65 000, definitely far from being called
"cheap labour".

Which is just right because Australia recognises the continuing benefits it gets
from foreign skilled workers. Australian migration allows smooth business operation
in the country because skilled foreign professionals and tradespeople fill in
temporary shortages.

Says Sandi Logan, National Communications Manager for DIMA, \"the day-to-day reality
of these skill shortages is that without available skilled workers Australian
businesses and essential services cannot continue to operate.\"

As such, the 457 Australian immigration program decrees that workers who migrate to
Australia be offered salaries of at least $39,100, or in regional areas, a salary
equal to at least the industrial award. Besides this, employers must shoulder their
employees\' public health costs and return trip fare.

Logan warns that exploitation of migrant workers is unacceptable. DIMA continues to
conduct unannounced workplace visits to assess the working conditions of foreign
skilled workers and whether companies are complying with the Australian immigration
policies set in visa 457.

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922