Black Dagger
18th October 2006, 17:31
Originally posted by SMH
Workers coming to Australia under the controversial 457 visa program are being required to sign illegal contracts forbidding them from joining unions, engaging in politics and even religious activity.
One contract obtained by the Herald and signed by a Filipino worker cites as grounds for dismissal "engaging in trade union activities."
The ACTU secretary, Greg Combet, said it was possible thousands of workers on 457 visas were being excluded from exercising their legal right to join unions. "The Government is allowing the Chinese Communist Party to dictate terms in the Australian labour market," Mr Combet said.
One sacked packaging worker, Zhihong Fu, signed his contract in Shanghai last November with a Chinese-government licensed agent, the Shanghai Overseas Employment Service.
One clause states: "Under no circumstances shall the employee participate in riots, strikes, political, union or radical religious activities."
After Mr Fu broke both wrists while working at a Melbourne factory and was sacked while on sick leave, he contacted the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union for help.
Bruce Taylor, an associate at the law firm Turner Freeman, said a worker sacked under such a contract would be forced to bring an unlawful dismissal suit and in most cases they would be sent home before the case came to court.
"Adding insult to injury, they would probably have to pay their own air fares," Mr Taylor said.
Phil Toner, a University of Western Sydney academic, said many workers were unaware the contracts were illegal. "There is no procedure in place to explain to these people what rights they have when they come to Australia," Dr Toner said.
He said workers from countries such as China and the Philippines were vulnerable because the system had been originally designed to help major companies shift well-educated senior management to Australia.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
Workers coming to Australia under the controversial 457 visa program are being required to sign illegal contracts forbidding them from joining unions, engaging in politics and even religious activity.
One contract obtained by the Herald and signed by a Filipino worker cites as grounds for dismissal "engaging in trade union activities."
The ACTU secretary, Greg Combet, said it was possible thousands of workers on 457 visas were being excluded from exercising their legal right to join unions. "The Government is allowing the Chinese Communist Party to dictate terms in the Australian labour market," Mr Combet said.
One sacked packaging worker, Zhihong Fu, signed his contract in Shanghai last November with a Chinese-government licensed agent, the Shanghai Overseas Employment Service.
One clause states: "Under no circumstances shall the employee participate in riots, strikes, political, union or radical religious activities."
After Mr Fu broke both wrists while working at a Melbourne factory and was sacked while on sick leave, he contacted the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union for help.
Bruce Taylor, an associate at the law firm Turner Freeman, said a worker sacked under such a contract would be forced to bring an unlawful dismissal suit and in most cases they would be sent home before the case came to court.
"Adding insult to injury, they would probably have to pay their own air fares," Mr Taylor said.
Phil Toner, a University of Western Sydney academic, said many workers were unaware the contracts were illegal. "There is no procedure in place to explain to these people what rights they have when they come to Australia," Dr Toner said.
He said workers from countries such as China and the Philippines were vulnerable because the system had been originally designed to help major companies shift well-educated senior management to Australia.
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)