Says it's committed to exploring alternative measures to attract foreign workers
In a move that reflects the ongoing importance of foreign workers to regional Australia, the Australian Labor Party has chosen not to limit the popular working holiday visa to one year.
Instead, the party has committed to exploring alternative measures to attract foreign workers to regional areas, addressing critical workforce shortages in these regions, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The federal government's migration strategy, unveiled on Monday, emphasizes the prioritization of processing applications for migrants destined for regional Australia. This strategic shift aims to tackle the persistent shortage of workers in rural areas, particularly impacting sectors such as agriculture, said the news outlet.
Limited success with foreign workers
The strategy acknowledges that the existing approach to encouraging foreign workers to settle in regional Australia has seen limited success. Currently, only 14% of migrants choose to live in these areas, a notable contrast to the 34% of the overall population residing in regional Australia, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Presently, working holidaymakers can extend their visa to a second or third year if they engage in specified work in regional or rural areas for 88 days. This includes roles in construction, mining, fishing, and farming.
“In considering any changes to the working holidaymaker program, the government will analyze the importance of the program in meeting labour shortages in regional Australia, especially in horticulture,” said the migration strategy in the Australian Financial review.
Overhauling holiday program
Despite leaving the visa unchanged for now, Labor remains poised for potential overhauls to the working holiday program, said the Australian Financial Revview. In August, Labor's National Conference approved changes to the party platform supporting a review of the 88-day rule.
The migration strategy acknowledges the regular exploitation faced by visa holders during their 88-day regional stays, highlighting issues of underpayment and non-payment of wages, sexual harassment, and workplace health and safety problems, said the news outlet.
One potential avenue for Labor's consideration is allowing visa holders to extend for a second or third year without any work requirements. This aligns with the conditions British passport holders will enjoy under the new Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, said the Australian Financial Review.
