The Turnbull Government has tightened the rules for temporary skilled workers, cutting the time that Subclass 457 visa holders can remain in Australia after their employment ceases from 90 days to 60.
The Senate economics committee is due to report today on its review of the "backpacker tax" bills, under which employers will be placed on a public register that the FWO can access to ensure they are complying with IR laws.
The FWO has used accessorial liability provisions to secure substantial penalties across the chain of command of a frozen yoghurt franchise responsible for underpaying four overseas workers.
An FWO inquiry report released today has found that about a third of subclass 417 working holiday visa holders received no payment for some or all of the work they performed.
The Turnbull Government will introduce legislation early next year to give the Fair Work Ombudsman new examination powers and expressly prohibit employers from providing false and misleading information.
Former ACCC chair Allan Fels will head a migrant workers taskforce that will advise the Coalition on policies to improve employment protections for overseas workers and monitor 7-Eleven's rectification of underpayments, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash announced this morning.
The Turnbull Government has bowed to pressure to change its backpacker tax and will now even allocate $10 million to promote Australian working holidays by young tourists.
A university study of international students' employment conditions in food services shows they are receiving as little as $8 an hour and a median of $17, well below the award rate of about $21.
An employer unfairly dismissed an underpaid 457 visa worker for sharing photos of a properly-remunerated colleague's employment contract, but the FWC has refused him compensation, ruling he did not suffer financially because of his successful workers' compensation claim.
