Equal pay will stop migrant exploitation

Minister for Immigration Chris Evans believes measures to pay skilled migrants on the 457 temporary working visa scheme an equal wage to local workers will prevent exploitation and maintain local pay standards and conditions.

Evans says the government supports the recommendations put forth by industrial relations expert Barbara Deegan in her review of the 457 visa scheme. Deegan suggests the special 457 salary level, currently lower than local rates, should be scrapped in favour of market rates for visa holders earning less than $100,000 a year.
 
“If we have got market rates we won't see that exploitation of overseas workers and will ensure Australian workers' wages and conditions are protected,” Evans predicts.