Australia reviewing migrant worker visa status

Melbourne, Apr.14 : The Australian Government plans to review the exploitation of migrant workers, salary levels and English language requirements, which form part of the temporary skilled migrant program.

The Federal Government has appointed Industrial Relations Commissioner Barbara Deegan to head the review.

News.com.au quoted Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans as saying that Deegan would draw on her extensive expertise in the industrial relations sector to review the 457 visa program and provide options to improve its integrity.

Deegan will take leave from her position as commissioner of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to head a working party of industry and trade union leaders.

The review would address concerns about the exploitation of migrant workers, salary levels and English language requirements. It will look at measures to strengthen the integrity of the temporary skilled migration program; the employment conditions that apply to workers employed under the program; the adequacy of measures to protect 457 visa holders from exploitation; and the English language requirements for the granting of migration workers' visas.

ANI