The ACTU said on Friday that the local labour market had to be tested for only one-third of the visas that were granted in the nine months to May this year.
And under the new free trade agreement with China and a future FTA with India, labour market testing will only cover a quarter of 457 visa nominations, new ACTU analysis based on Department of Immigration figures shows.
The ACTU said that was outrageous, not just because Australian workers would miss out on more jobs, but because foreign workers on temporary visas were already being abused and exploited.
Under new Investment Facilitation Agreements in the China FTA, companies with projects worth more than $150 million will be able to negotiate to bring in lower-skilled workers at wage rates that fall below the current floor for the standard 457 visa program of $53,990 per annum.
The ACTU says it fears the same will happen if the India FTA is signed later this year.
"Instead of fixing the abuse and exploitation, the Abbott government is making it easier for companies to bring in temporary workers at the expense of local jobs," ACTU president Ged Kearney said.
UnionsWA acting secretary Owen Whittle said temporary labour schemes needed stronger, not weaker, work tests.
"It is also important that temporary overseas labour in Australia are not exploited through poor wages, poor safety or, in some cases, slave-like conditions," Mr Whittle said.
"Stronger monitoring, penalties and whistle-blower protections are urgently needed."
UnionsWA will raise its concerns at a public hearing for a Senate inquiry into the impact of temporary work programs on the labour market in Perth later on Friday.
Share
