Anti-457 visa campaign may cost jobs, says AMMA

AMMA, the Australian Mines and Metals Association, has criticised the government’s attack on 457 visa arrangements, saying the unions’ antiskilled migration campaign is actually putting Australian jobs and projects at risk.

AMMA Chief Executive Steve Knott said the antiskilled migration campaign may “spook investors into taking their capital and all the jobs that come with it to other global markets”.

According to Knott, the resource industry is a prime example of how small numbers of skilled migrants contribute to large projects and help create long-term employment for thousands of Australians.

“The 457 Visa Scheme is a responsible policy that allows highly skilled temporary migrant workers to fill critical shortages during peak construction demand. They are sponsored for a particular project, must obtain medical insurance, pay taxes and contribute to Australia’s economic wellbeing.”

The resource industry employer group has also expressed concerns about recommendations in the Senate Majority Report into The Greens’ Protecting Local Jobs Bill, particularly the suggestion that employers seeking access to the 457 Scheme may be forced to use a government- and union-run jobs board.

“The government appears to believe that alongside the ACTU and other union groups, they are better qualified to run the recruitment practices of Australian private industry than the employers themselves,” said Knott.

“This is staggering given most of those involved in this discourse have had limited to no experience in running private sector businesses, let alone multibillion-dollar mega resource sector projects.

“The resource industry has done its heavy lifting in creating Australian jobs and contributing a major component to today’s steady 5.4% unemployment rate. This can continue if the government reconsiders its move to impose more costly red-tape and union interference on employers.”