Unions are calling on the federal government to investigate a Perth builder after he told media he imports labour because they're more obedient and don't get as bored as Australians.
Hanssen Industries manager Dick Smith has told the ABC he only has to pay guest workers $40,000 a year and he can send them home if he's unhappy with them.
The national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, John Sutton, says Hanssen Industries is only one of a growing number of unscrupulous employers.
Mr Sutton says such employers are merely taking advantage of Prime Minister John Howard's two-pronged attack on labour market standards.
"One is his Workchoices laws which he's implemented and the other avenue is substantial use of these temporary migrant work arrangements.
"It's certainly not good for the workers involved, who are very vulnerable, and it's certainly not good for Australian workers and particularly Australian youth, who are missing out on valuable training opportunities."