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Issue No. 164 | 06 December 2002 |
The Politics of Security
Interview: Trade Secrets Industrial: It�s About Overtime, Stupid Unions: Full Steam Ahead Bad Boss: The BBQ Battle Axe Economics: Different Dimensions of Debt History: Raking the Coals History Special: Wherever the Necessity Exists History Special: Learning from the Past History Special: A 'Cosy Relationship' Politics: Regime Change for Saddam International: World War Corporate: Industrious Thinking Review: Jack High Culture: Duffy�s Song Satire: A Nation of Sooks Poetry: Mr Flexibility
African Immigration Scam Widens School Staff Block Parents� Pay Yarra Operators Dodge Accident Probe Financial Windfall in Radio Sale Vic Anti-Union Campaign Backfires Coles Myer Breaks Out Of Sweat Police Sick of Being Kicked Around Jobless Dumped on Drought Farms Men Only Scholarships Hit Snag
The Soapbox Awards The Locker Room Bosswatch Month In Review
The Golden (Th)Ong Overtime Cap is Flawed Outsourced Education
Labor Council of NSW |
News African Immigration Scam Widens
Workers Online has become aware of another three cases involving the alleged underpayment of restaurant workers imported to Australia under controversial Section 457 immigrations visas. Two of the sponsored workers, Black South Africans like the Ribs and Rumps chefs, were employed in the Eastern Suburbs while the third saw service in an Indian Restaurant. The claims are about to be filed with the Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court in Sydney. Section 457 visas allow business to bring specialist workers into the country on the basis that their skills are not available in Australia. So far Workers Online has discovered the provision being applied to farm labourers, machinery operators, construction labourers, and now cooks and chefs. An earlier South African brought to Australia and paid less than $50 a week as a construction worker had been employed as a petrol pump attendant in his homeland. He was whipped out of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and flown back to the Republic after being seriously injured in an accident that claimed the lives of two other men. Labor Council assistant secretary Chris Chistodoulou says the visas are being used to "exploit guests and undermine Australian wages and conditions at the same time". Stinky Smells a Rat Chirstodoulou was at a protest outside Ribs and Rumps, also attended by the CFMEU's giant rat Stinky, when company representatives sought to enter negotiations. The restaurant, Restaurant and Caterers Association, and legal representatives of William Ndlovu, Reevis Khumalo and Elliot Dube will meet at the Labor Council offices on Monday in a bid to thrash out a settlement to the six-figure underpayment claim lodged by the trio. Labor Council secretary John Robertson stressed any resolution would be in the hands of the chefs and their representatives. "We are more than willing to help bring the parties together but any agreement must be struck with the workers," he said. "Our role is to support these men and pressure the Federal Government to stop using immigrants in their bid to cut the living standards of Australians." Meanwhile, the CFMEU which has driven concern over immigration scams, has welcomed Labor Party green card proposals for guest workers.
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