Sheelagh Blanckenberg
21st August 2009, 02:43 PM
SEE: http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/743
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has now caught 41 people working illegally in regional Victorian towns over the past week after 18 more workers were discovered near Shepparton overnight.
The 18 Malaysian nationals located in the field operation that concluded today had either been working unlawfully in Australia or had overstayed their visas.
They have been transferred to Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre in Melbourne where arrangements will be made for their removal from Australia.
On August 11, DIAC located 23 illegal farm workers near Sale. They were from Malaysia, Vietnam and China and removal processes are under way.
“Many of the people located in this latest operation had made unsuccessful applications to stay in Australia – including review processes – and had not departed,” a DIAC spokesman said. “This operation was also part of a campaign of disruption to the illegal labour hire industry.”
Acting on information from the public, compliance field officers went to three addresses in the Shepparton area. “It is expected these people will depart Australia within seven days,” the spokesman said.
“In both operations, it is likely many of the workers were engaged by labour hire organisers. Farm owners will be contacted to make them aware of their responsibilities for ensuring that they are engaging lawful workers.”
He said the immigration compliance operation serves as a warning to people and employers that breaches of immigration law will not be tolerated.
“The department is committed to ensuring the integrity of our migration and visa programs,” the spokesman said. “This operation demonstrates that if people work illegally or if people employ illegal workers, they will be caught.”
He strongly urged employers to check with the department that all people they hire have the legal right to work in Australia. “Employers can face severe penalties for hiring people who do not have work rights in Australia and the department will be seeking information on any involvement of organisers behind this illegal employment,” the spokesman said.
Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker. Employers can gain access to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service which allows employers to provide relevant identification details of prospective employees with their consent to quickly confirm that they are eligible to work in Australia.
People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers should call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has now caught 41 people working illegally in regional Victorian towns over the past week after 18 more workers were discovered near Shepparton overnight.
The 18 Malaysian nationals located in the field operation that concluded today had either been working unlawfully in Australia or had overstayed their visas.
They have been transferred to Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre in Melbourne where arrangements will be made for their removal from Australia.
On August 11, DIAC located 23 illegal farm workers near Sale. They were from Malaysia, Vietnam and China and removal processes are under way.
“Many of the people located in this latest operation had made unsuccessful applications to stay in Australia – including review processes – and had not departed,” a DIAC spokesman said. “This operation was also part of a campaign of disruption to the illegal labour hire industry.”
Acting on information from the public, compliance field officers went to three addresses in the Shepparton area. “It is expected these people will depart Australia within seven days,” the spokesman said.
“In both operations, it is likely many of the workers were engaged by labour hire organisers. Farm owners will be contacted to make them aware of their responsibilities for ensuring that they are engaging lawful workers.”
He said the immigration compliance operation serves as a warning to people and employers that breaches of immigration law will not be tolerated.
“The department is committed to ensuring the integrity of our migration and visa programs,” the spokesman said. “This operation demonstrates that if people work illegally or if people employ illegal workers, they will be caught.”
He strongly urged employers to check with the department that all people they hire have the legal right to work in Australia. “Employers can face severe penalties for hiring people who do not have work rights in Australia and the department will be seeking information on any involvement of organisers behind this illegal employment,” the spokesman said.
Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker. Employers can gain access to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service which allows employers to provide relevant identification details of prospective employees with their consent to quickly confirm that they are eligible to work in Australia.
People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers should call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
.