Socially Skilled Workers – Welcome to Australia

07/09/11

This week’s release of submission guidelines for a new migration initiative highlights the failure of the Government to clarify social training requirements for employment of overseas temporary skilled workers. 

The new Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMA) are aimed at major resources’ project owners and prime contractors to meet skills shortages.

Member for Brisbane Teresa Gambaro said that although the aim is that foreign workers will only be supplementary labour, it is also necessary that migrants receive effective social awareness training, to assist in their rapid assimilation into local communities.

Ms Gambaro said  “It is vital that the new guidelines clearly state what commitments are required  for training and social inclusion targets for EMA applicants.

“Social inclusion training is more than appreciation of our health and hygiene standards, cultural awareness and acceptable conduct. Training should include understanding of local business practices to safeguard temporary migrants from being financially ripped off.

“For some time I have been calling on the Government to urgently ensure that overseas temporary workers receive adequate social inclusion training to facilitate their enjoyment of living and working in Australia.

“Although the EMAs have the potential to allow major resource projects to gain access to overseas skilled workers for vacancies unable to be filled from the Australian skilled labour market, these initiatives should not be at the cost of social harmony due to inadequate training.” said Ms Gambaro.