Neumann slams Labor over visas

Swift Australia under fire.

FEDERAL MP Shayne Neumann has turned on his own government, slamming Labor’s Federal Immigration Minister for granting 50 foreign workers at the Swifts meatworks visa renewals.

In a fiery meeting this week, workers at Swift Australia were told by their union delegate that 53 foreign workers who came to Australia on 457 visas had their papers renewed for another four years.

Those workers are now full-time employees.

In the same meeting Australian employees were told they would receive only two shifts a week for the next fortnight.

Mr Neumann said he was disgusted by the actions of Swift Australia and angry that Immigration Minister Chris Evans did not inform him about the visa renewals.

“I am very angry at this entire situation but especially Swift who have shown contempt for their Australian workforce,” Mr Neumann said.

“The Minister is now aware at how angry I am at this decision and I have ordered a briefing into why those visas were renewed.”

The Queensland Times discovered that Swift applied for the 53 visa renewals in December last year, just two months before the government’s 457 program shut down and in full knowledge the initiative was due for closure.

Because Swift had not committed an unlawful act in relation to their foreign workers, the immigration department had to grant the visas.

“I understand legally the department had to renew the visas, but Swift snuck through the back door in the last possible moment to keep their foreign workers,” Mr Neumann said.

“They undermined the system and the government is very unhappy with the company.

Swift was so determined to keep foreign workers at the plant they also applied to the government for the 457 visa program to be extended.

Their application was sent on February 27, just one day before the government shut the program down.

Earlier this year they also applied for another 40 457 visas for their staff, which the government rejected.

Several workers have told The Queensland Times they are disgusted at how Swift treats their Australian workers.

“They treat us like trash,” an employee, who did not want to be named, said.

“They want us out and want the Chinese workers to stay because they put up with their nonsense.

“I have two kids and a pregnant wife and I need more shifts, yet they give full-time contracts to overseas imports.

“We have had a gutful but it’s not like a lot of workers are skilled in other trades.”

A spokesman for Chris Evans said the Rudd Government had repeatedly advised employers in the Queensland meat industry to reduce their reliance on temporary skilled overseas workers.

“The government does not see the need for employers to access more foreign workers on 457 visas if local workers are available,” the spokesman said.

There have been no new Subclass 457 visas granted to offshore applicants seeking to enter Australia to work for Swift Australia in the past six months.

Swift Australia corporate affairs manager John Berry did not return calls from The Queensland Times.