"It is astonishing that the Australian Industry Group [AIA] is calling for an increase in Australian migration from 190,000 to 220,000, through an increase to our permanent Migrant Worker Program. First it is astonishing that they think the number should be lifted by 30,000, when as recently as twenty years ago the entire permanent Migrant Worker Program was less than 30,000. Secondly it is astonishing that they want to increase the number of migrant workers when we are already unable to find jobs for Australian workers" (Kelvin Thomson, MP., Wills, Victoria, Australia)
[Headings and emphasis are by candobetter.net editor]
Why would industry call to increase worker immigration when Australians cannot get jobs?
Secondly it is astonishing that they want to increase the number of migrant workers when we are already unable to find jobs for Australian workers, including those who have come here on previous permanent Migrant Worker Programs. Last month unemployment increased by 3,400 to 712,500 Australians who cannot find work, and this number is forecast to increase. Official forecasts are that the jobless rate will rise within about 18 months to 6.25%, and stay there through to the end of 2016-17. More Australians will be out of work than at any time during the past decade, and far more than during the Global Financial Crisis. The forthcoming closures of Ford and Holden, job losses at Qantas, concerns for jobs at SPC Ardmona and Alcoa, the resources industry construction workforce winding back – all the indicators are that many Australians, including migrant workers, are looking for work or will be looking for work in the near future. They are entitled to our first consideration.
AIA irresponsibly and selfishly misrepresenting Oz population growth rate
The Australian Industry Group says that increasing migrant numbers is needed to “support positive growth in our population”, and refers to relatively low levels of natural population growth. This is incorrect. For each of the past thirty-six years I have gone back to check this, births have exceeded deaths in Australia by over 100,000 – we have natural population increase by over 100,000 every year without any migration at all. In any event, population growth is not a good thing. It is putting great pressure on our environment, quality of life, housing affordability, traffic congestion etc.
Need to use Australian's skills
The permanent Migrant Worker Program, referred to as “Skilled Migration”, should be used to bring workers with skills that it is not possible to find in Australia, not used as a catch all scheme – recently we even saw calls to bring in truck drivers from overseas. It should not be used to drive population growth, not used to put downward pressure on wages and conditions, and not used as a substitute for genuine action to train and skill young Australians. If we are fair dinkum about reducing unemployment, and fair dinkum about increasing workforce participation, we will reduce migrant worker programs, not increase them, and build and use the skills of out-of-work Australians.
- Please feel encouraged to post your comments on candobetter.net and also on Kelvin's Blog: http://kelvinthomson.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/extraordinary-call-for-increase-to.html
Comments
Bandicoot
Mon, 2014-01-13 13:52
Permalink
Growth for growth's sake
Sheila Newman
Mon, 2014-01-13 14:03
Permalink
All that and slavery for Australians too
Anonymous (not verified)
Mon, 2014-01-13 18:07
Permalink
Only the elite will benefit from more immigration
Narelle Pearse is the CEO of the Mackay and Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation, representing a region that's been hit with thousands of job losses in the past two years.
She says there are limited skilled jobs being advertised for and the investment into training has dropped off.
If there are the reported skills shortages in Australia, they should be addressed by upgraded training facilities, more apprenticeships and trainee ships, more affordable tertiary education and innovation. Increasing our economy's size by amassing people from overseas isn't economic growth.
Ms Pearse says it's possible the demand for skilled workers will change quickly but there are people within Australia who could help meet the demand.
Need more training, not more foreign workers on ABC Rural at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-13/call-employ-foreign-workers/5197608
About one-third of 15 to 19 year olds in areas such as the Sunshine Coast, far north Queensland, north western Queensland and West Moreton were jobless.
The Sunshine Coast also ranked the worst for unemployment of 20 to 24 year olds (11.9 per cent), which the report described as a "worrying cluster".
Migrants often find finding jobs harder, due to language difficulties and skills from overseas. They then end up employed in low-skilled areas.
The Australian Industry Group are out of the depth, and should face the hard facts of reality. Simply increasing immigration is for the benefit of the elite, and their corporate empires that have no concern for living standards, congestion, living costs etc. They will celebrate and profit from masses of unemployed, desperate and homeless people who will hungrily accept lower pay and working conditions.
Add comment