Four Canberra restaurants have been banned from sponsoring temporary skilled migrants for up to three years, DIMA told a Senate Estimates Committee yesterday.
Senate Estimates was told that Pangaea Restaurant and Bar, Zeffirelli Pizza Restaurant and Holy Grail have been banned from the 457 visa program for three years from 6 October 2006. Milk and Honey received a two year ban from 11 May 2006, the Committee was told.
The restaurants were found to be underpaying skilled migrant workers employed under the 457 visa program, with the first allegation being made in October last year. That means for one of the restaurants, it took DIMA 12 months to apply the sanction.
The temporary skilled migration program should serve a practical need to fill genuine skills shortages. However, the Howard Government’s gross mismanagement of the program has allowed migrants to be exploited and the program used to push wages down.
Labor has called for a Senate Inquiry into the 457 visa program but this was blocked by the Howard Government.
Unfortunately, this means this arrogant government is willing to allow skilled migrants to be ripped off and this in turn pushes the wages of all workers down.
Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295
