Fast food businesses will no longer be able to sponsor foreign workers on temporary visas unless they can prove a specific need, the federal government has announced.
The announcement will impact the likes of
KFC, McDonalds and Hungary Jacks, and is the first time an entire sector has been banned from using 457 visas.
Peter Dutton, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, announced the end of the Fast Food Industry Labour Agreement which saw hundreds of foreign workers take jobs at fast food outlets across Australia.
The workers impacted will be forced to leave Australia once their agreements run out unless the restaurant is able to present an individual case as to why they should remain.
"Australian workers, particularly young Australians, must be given priority," said Dutton.
"The Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring that career pathways are available for young Australians.
"Fast track arrangements for the fast food industry put in place by
Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen in 2012 are not consistent with putting Australian workers first.”
Dutton added that the 457 visa program spiralled out of control when Bill Shorten was Employment Minister and Chris Bowen was Immigration Minister.
"They did deals behind closed doors with their union mates to virtually make every occupation open to be filled with a 457 visa holder,” said Dutton.
"In fact many unions filled jobs in their own offices that clearly could be done by Australians with foreign workers.
"The Coalition Government is committed to implementing reforms that strengthen Australia's skilled migration programme to ensure overseas workers supplement rather than provide a substitute for Australian workers.”
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