Federal Govt orders probe into foreign worker deaths

Federal Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has requested an internal inquiry be conducted on the recent deaths of three overseas workers employed under the 457 temporary visa scheme.

Unions claim the three deaths that have occurred over the last month - a Filipino worker in Western Australia, a Chinese worker in Queensland and another foreign worker in the Northern Territory - were caused by a lack of understanding safety requirements due to poor English skills.

Media reports indicate that although the businesses operate under the respective State OHS laws, the three deaths will be the subject of an inquiry to make sure the proper requirements have been met.

Reportedly, another 17 overseas workers on the 457 visa have reportedly died over the past five years. However, The Australian reports the Federal Government will not be investigating these deaths, maintaining the fatalities were not work-related, and citing car accidents, heart attacks and drownings as some causes.

Unionwants scheme stopped

The transport industry is campaigning to have the temporary visa scheme stopped, on the grounds it promotes unsafe practices and will endanger workers and the public's lives.

Transport Workers Union official, Mark Crosdale, says there have been many coroners' reports and Government inquiries that show there is a direct link between safety and rates of pay in the transport industry.

'You don't get "high quality at low cost" in the transport industry. Paying drivers unsafe rates of pay encourages longer hours on the road, unfair competition, fewer rest breaks, poor truck maintenance and drivers who are pushed to breaking point,' Crosdale says. 'Foreign drivers would be paid $20,000 less than the industry average - which will force business to choose cheap foreign labour over Australian experience.'

An TNT truck driver, Tony Matthews, worries Australian roads will become less safe: 'Driving a truck without having to go through the same training as Aussie drivers is ridiculous.

'There's no way foreign drivers will cope with Australian roads - we can expect the road toll to go up. All road users are going to suffer if foreign drivers are brought in for lower pay. The 457 visa must be stopped.'

Source: Workplace OHS

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