Migration Help
20th January 2010, 04:22 PM
Illegal worker blitz
20 Jan, 2010 10:16 AM
IMMIGRATION compliance officers will be out in force targeting illegal harvest trail workers in the Margaret River region this week.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said Department of Immigration and Citizenship compliance officers had located and detained illegal workers in the region previously.
“All employers need to be aware it is a criminal offence to employ or refer a person for employment where that person is not entitled to work in Australia,” Senator Evans said.
“The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector had the highest incidence of illegal workers located in 2008-09 and attracted more than one quarter of the 597 illegal worker warning notices issued Australia-wide.”
Over the same period, 11,428 people were located who had either overstayed their visa or were in breach of their visa conditions, including those who were working illegally.
Employers convicted of illegal worker offences face fines of up to $13,200 and two years’ imprisonment per illegal worker.
Companies face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker.
Senator Evans said the department was meeting local police and visiting local businesses including vineyards to educate them about the responsibilities of employing overseas workers before the busy grape-picking season begins.
“Harvests are traditionally times when employers need temporary workers and foreign nationals who have work entitlements, such as those with working holiday maker visas, provide much of the labour force,” Senator Evans said.
“Working with local businesses, with the WA Police and maintaining a regular and visible presence in regional WA is an important part of the department’s work in preventing and deterring illegal workers.”
Employers can check work entitlements free of charge by using the internet-based Visa Entitlement Verification Online service at www.immi.gov.au/evisa/vevo
SOURCE (http://www.margaretrivermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/illegal-worker-blitz/1729971.aspx)
MH
20 Jan, 2010 10:16 AM
IMMIGRATION compliance officers will be out in force targeting illegal harvest trail workers in the Margaret River region this week.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said Department of Immigration and Citizenship compliance officers had located and detained illegal workers in the region previously.
“All employers need to be aware it is a criminal offence to employ or refer a person for employment where that person is not entitled to work in Australia,” Senator Evans said.
“The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector had the highest incidence of illegal workers located in 2008-09 and attracted more than one quarter of the 597 illegal worker warning notices issued Australia-wide.”
Over the same period, 11,428 people were located who had either overstayed their visa or were in breach of their visa conditions, including those who were working illegally.
Employers convicted of illegal worker offences face fines of up to $13,200 and two years’ imprisonment per illegal worker.
Companies face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker.
Senator Evans said the department was meeting local police and visiting local businesses including vineyards to educate them about the responsibilities of employing overseas workers before the busy grape-picking season begins.
“Harvests are traditionally times when employers need temporary workers and foreign nationals who have work entitlements, such as those with working holiday maker visas, provide much of the labour force,” Senator Evans said.
“Working with local businesses, with the WA Police and maintaining a regular and visible presence in regional WA is an important part of the department’s work in preventing and deterring illegal workers.”
Employers can check work entitlements free of charge by using the internet-based Visa Entitlement Verification Online service at www.immi.gov.au/evisa/vevo
SOURCE (http://www.margaretrivermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/illegal-worker-blitz/1729971.aspx)
MH