A Brazilian national who was employed as a slaughterman in Rockhampton, Qld, is the latest official recruit to the ranks of the Queensland Branch of the Meatworkers' Union, having been employed under the 457 visa system.
While the Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union (AMIEU) refused to identify its new organiser in his first week working with the organisation, branch secretary Russell Carr has confirmed the Brazilian national has been employed to help further cement the union's relationship with its many migrant members.
Of the AMIEU's 7000 members, about 1000 are migrant workers on short stay visas.
Mr Carr said he believed more than 2000 foreign nationals are currently working in the Queensland meat industry, with many having little or no English language skills.
A 457 visa, known as a Temporary Business (Long Stay) Standard Business Sponsorship visa, will allow the Brazilian to work in Australia from three months up to four years, and is issued by the Department of Immigration to skilled migrants with a trade equivalent or more.
Mr Carr said the man's skills were initially utilised in a voluntary capacity by the AMIEU while he worked as a slaughterman in a Rockhampton meatworks, to communicate with Brazilian workers at plants.
"He had credibility amongst his colleagues and was very competent," Mr Carr said.
"When we made a decision to hire him as an organiser, the only way we could do that was to become a sponsor.
"We applied to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and the application was passed last week, and he started on Monday.
"Many of our migrant worker members may have difficulties with the English language.
"The object of being a union is to bind people into a collective so we can protect and advance their rights, and the only way to do that is to communicate and educate people.
"Unfortunately, some employers who use migrant labour choose to exploit them and we've found all sorts of breaches with visas in the past.
"Most are reasonable, but there are times when some are not, and migrants need to be aware of what the Labour Agreement contains."
Mr Carr said the new organiser would be working throughout the State with both migrant and Australian workers.
He said while live export was an ongoing issue for the AMIEU, it was not an issue the new organiser would be focusing on.
"I realise there may be some criticism of the AMIEU for hiring a staff member on a 457 visa, but we believe this is a necessary step in ensuring that our organisation is relevant to all our membership," Mr Carr said.
He said the industry had also seen a recent influx of workers on Working Holiday 417 visas, particularly from Korea, and employed in positions such as meat packaging.
The 417 visa allows foreign nationals aged between 18 and 30 years, to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, and work for up to six months with each employer.
Meanwhile, Murrunbidgee Irrigation Area citrus growers are delighted an overseas guest worker visa scheme will be trialled locally to let them employ Pacific Islanders to fill labour shortages during the coming summer harvest.
The Federal Government’s plan was welcomed by Griffith and District Citrus Growers secretary, Louis Sartor, who has been lobbying the government for years to help solve local labour problems.
Mr Sartor said citrus growers are not seeking cheap labour, but want reliable workers, especially at harvest when pickers are scarce.
Federal Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, said the scheme would not be a cheap option as it could cost more than employing locals.
The National Farmers Federation backs the scheme, with the first of the seasonal workers expected later this year.
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