Temporary workers in Australia benefit from greater rights.
New laws come into effect today that will protect the rights of all workers migrating to Australia on worker visas.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced the proposed changes earlier this month in order to safeguard the thousands of temporary workers who enter Australia on working visas.
From today all workers who migrate to Australia will be entitled to the minimum rate of pay and will enjoy the same rights as working Australian citizens.
The Australian Taxation Office will be able to share information with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to ensure that migrant workers receive fair salary levels. Other enforcement bodies will also be able to share information, including the Fair Work Ombudsman and health and safety agencies.
The new laws mean thousands of workers are now entitled to backpay, such as the three Filipino nursing assistants in 2008 who had subclass 457 visas and were being underpaid by a healthcare recruiting agenc. They managed to successfully sue the company for $15,000 owed in backpay and the company were also fined $48,000.
For companies already employing migrant workers, the new laws mean that they are obliged to start paying their workers the market rate from 1 January 2010 at the very latest. All new workers entering on subclass 457 visas will be entitled to receive market rates as from today.
In order to enforce the new laws, specially trained investigative officers will be able to monitor and visit workplaces. Any company found in breach of the laws will be liable to be fined up to $33,000.
It’s a stern warning from the government, who want to bring in more migrant workers to fill the gaps that still exist in skilled work, especially in Western Australia. It’s also a boost for workers thinking of migrating to Australia for work, but who had previously been put off by tales of unsafe working conditions and low pay.
If you are considering working in Australia, have a look at our visa section to find out what you’ll need. And if you join our community, you’ll be able to benefit from first class advice from our many experts as well as being able to chat to others already out there and who can give you the lowdown on working in Australia.
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