Australia, New Zealand
Australia, a country of 20 million, accepts about 100,000 immigrants a year. However, the fastest growth in foreigners arriving to work has been in temporary worker programs, including the so-called 457 program that allows foreign professionals paid at least A$41,850 ($34,600) a year to enter via simplified procedures. The minimum wage for 457 workers is A$37,000 in agriculture, which farmers say is too high.
Some 39,530 foreign workers were admitted with 457 visas in 2005-06. About a quarter were from the UK, but the fastest growth is in workers from China and the Philippines.
Unions claim that employers pay 457 workers the required A$41,850, but then get back up to half of the wages paid in fees and charges for housing and food. Waterbrook Enterprises in Brisbane was accused of charging Filipino welders A$10,000 to get their contracts, and made deductions from their wages for housing. Many workers with 457 visas are employed in meat processing.
A parliamentary inquiry is examining the 457 program. Critics say it is poorly monitored by the Immigration Department, leaving migrant workers open to abuse and underpayment of wages.
Economy. Australia's traditional economy was "crops and rocks," exporting farm commodities and mining products. The commodity boom fueled by rapid economic growth in China and India caught the mining industry by surprise, and has sharply increased wages for the 120,000 workers employed in mining in Australia, often in remote locations.
Miners often work 12-hour shifts for 14 days followed by a week off, a lifestyle not appealing to many workers and leading to 25 percent annual turnover rates. There are Aboriginals living around some of the mines in Australia, but they are often a small fraction of the mining labor force.
New Zealand. Economist Greg Clydesdale in April 2007 reported that immigration was increasing New Zealand housing prices. Some 51,000 immigrants were admitted in 2006, including 60 percent under the skilled or business categories.
New Zealand in April 2007 launched the Recognized Seasonal Employer Policy for up to 5,000 workers from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The workers will be allowed to stay in New Zealand up to seven months, and must be paid at least the minimum wage of NZ$11.25 (US$7) per hour and be provided with housing.
Some 100,000 work permits were issued to temporary foreign workers in New Zealand in 2005-06, including to seasonal workers, skilled professionals and working holidaymakers, up sharply from 39,000 in 1999-00.
Simon McCarthy, "Seasonal employer policy aimed at Pacific Islanders," Southland Times, March 24, 2007. Shane Maguire And Lechelle Earl, "Imported Workers," The Advertiser, January 27, 2007.
Fonte: Migration News Vol. 14 No. 2, April 2007.
Some 39,530 foreign workers were admitted with 457 visas in 2005-06. About a quarter were from the UK, but the fastest growth is in workers from China and the Philippines.
Unions claim that employers pay 457 workers the required A$41,850, but then get back up to half of the wages paid in fees and charges for housing and food. Waterbrook Enterprises in Brisbane was accused of charging Filipino welders A$10,000 to get their contracts, and made deductions from their wages for housing. Many workers with 457 visas are employed in meat processing.
A parliamentary inquiry is examining the 457 program. Critics say it is poorly monitored by the Immigration Department, leaving migrant workers open to abuse and underpayment of wages.
Economy. Australia's traditional economy was "crops and rocks," exporting farm commodities and mining products. The commodity boom fueled by rapid economic growth in China and India caught the mining industry by surprise, and has sharply increased wages for the 120,000 workers employed in mining in Australia, often in remote locations.
Miners often work 12-hour shifts for 14 days followed by a week off, a lifestyle not appealing to many workers and leading to 25 percent annual turnover rates. There are Aboriginals living around some of the mines in Australia, but they are often a small fraction of the mining labor force.
New Zealand. Economist Greg Clydesdale in April 2007 reported that immigration was increasing New Zealand housing prices. Some 51,000 immigrants were admitted in 2006, including 60 percent under the skilled or business categories.
New Zealand in April 2007 launched the Recognized Seasonal Employer Policy for up to 5,000 workers from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The workers will be allowed to stay in New Zealand up to seven months, and must be paid at least the minimum wage of NZ$11.25 (US$7) per hour and be provided with housing.
Some 100,000 work permits were issued to temporary foreign workers in New Zealand in 2005-06, including to seasonal workers, skilled professionals and working holidaymakers, up sharply from 39,000 in 1999-00.
Simon McCarthy, "Seasonal employer policy aimed at Pacific Islanders," Southland Times, March 24, 2007. Shane Maguire And Lechelle Earl, "Imported Workers," The Advertiser, January 27, 2007.
Fonte: Migration News Vol. 14 No. 2, April 2007.
