Unions have called for Australia's migration program to favour permanent over temporary working visas, as part of a new plan to stamp out the exploitation of cheap imported labour and protect local jobs.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is calling for tougher rules that would force employers to advertise roles locally before importing a temporary worker.
Australia already has some labour market testing rules designed to ensure temporary work visas are only given to industries with a genuine shortage.
Last year, the Turnbull government dramatically cut its list of eligible occupations in a major reform to the controversial 457 visa.
Hundreds of jobs - including hairdressers, finance managers, chief executives, public relations professionals, primary school teachers and dentists - were moved on to a list that no longer had access to a pathway to permanent residency, meaning they would not be able to settle in Australia.
The ACTU is now echoing concerns from the Migration Council that the 457 reforms may create a "guest worker" system in Australia, which has traditionally run a migration program with many skilled workers ending up as permanent residents.
"Australia's migration program must, as it did previously, favour permanent migration, so people can come to Australia with their family and build a life for themselves - with the same rights that we all deserve," ACTU secretary Sally McManus said.
An "underclass" of easily exploited temporary visa holders make up one in 10 of Australia's workforce and undercut local jobs, the trade union peak body claims.
The ACTU also wants to ensure local workers get the opportunity to be trained and employed locally and see more funding for TAFE.
Under the plan, temporary work visas would only be used in cases of genuine skills shortages.
"We need to change the rules so employers are forced to advertise locally, and only able to import workers for genuine skills shortages," Ms McManus said.
Temporary visa workers should also be paid market rates and be guaranteed the same rights as other employees.
"All workers, no matter where they are from, should have the right to be paid properly, have basic job security and to be safe at work," Ms McManus said.
The federal government last week gave a six-month extension to the Migrant Workers' Taskforce, which provides advice on how to prevent exploitation.
New laws to protect vulnerable workers came into place in September last year following revelations of exploitation by some 7-Eleven franchisees.
- with AAP
