Tree World - View Single Post - Big investigation into QLD foreign worker tree felling death

Ekka · 1st October 2007, 03:23 AM

Immigrants' safety, pay probed | The Courier-Mail

Makes you wonder, I know of a few deaths but they never cared this much. However when other countries relatives start questioning then the govt has to care.

And please, no puns for the victims name.

Quote:

James O'Loan

October 01, 2007 12:00am

TWENTY Queensland companies have been banned from using 457 visas to employ foreign workers, as an investigation continues.
The probe is looking into the workplace death of a Chinese man in the state's southwest.

Department of Immigration figures released at the weekend show most employers were black-listed for failing to pay the minimum salary level of $41,850, while others breached reporting guidelines.

Employers in the manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishing industries were the main culprits, receiving bans from three months to three years.

No public sector employers have been banned.

A State Government spokeswoman said yesterday a workplace health and safety investigation was still under way into the June death of 457-visa-holder and Chinese worker Guo Jian Dong at N.K. Collins Sawmill, near Mitchell.

The spokeswoman would not speculate on the investigation nor its end date, although it has been previously alleged Mr Dong was using a chainsaw, which he was certified to use, when a tree fell on him.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union secretary John Sutton said the fact 20 Queensland companies were banned showed the scheme was open to abuse.

"One of the huge problems with them (457 visas) is a lack of transparency from employers about wage levels, what deductions (from pay) are occurring, and health and safety monitoring," Mr Sutton said.

The Department of Immigration only inserted an English-speaking requirement into the scheme from July 1.

"A lot of them don't speak English ? they're powerless," Mr Sutton said.

He urged the Federal Government to amend laws regarding sponsorship obligations to include stiffer penalties.

He said the proposed changes would make it harder for bosses to deduct large sums from a worker's pay packet through exorbitant recruitment, travel, accommodation and transport fees.

Commerce Queensland president Beatrice Booth said 457 visas were making a "worthy contribution" to businesses struggling to find skilled staff.

She said safety issues surrounding the visa scheme warranted further discussion but in general terms she had no concerns about the accreditation process.

There are 57,990 people employed under 457 visas in Australia.

In Queensland, medical practitioners, registered nurses, welders, civil engineers and metal fabricators are the most common users of the visas.

Queensland Health is the state's biggest employer of 457 visa workers.

The average salary of a Queensland visa holder in 2006-07 was $63,500.