And the Australian government has hinted that any pilot program may be aborted if the Australian economy takes a dive.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to announce a trial when he heads to Niue later this month for the Pacific Islands forum, which begins on Aug. 19.
Australia’s ruling Labor Party has managed to negotiate its way around union concerns to come up with a scheme that addresses Pacific neighbors’ calls to allow their citizens to work in Australia.
Australian foreign Minister Stephen Smith indicated that any scheme would have strict conditions attached. About five countries are expected to be able to take part in the pilot program.
“If any pilot program were to proceed, it would necessarily be demand driven and start with a limited number of countries participating on a trial basis,” he said to the Australian Institute for International Affairs in Melbourne.
“The government has been examining New Zealand’s seasonal labor policy, the recognized seasonal employer scheme,” he said. “It is appropriate that we learn from New Zealand’s wisdom and experience when thinking about the possibility of a pilot program in Australia.”
The National Farmers Federation strongly supports the scheme, which would fill critical labor shortages in agriculture and horticulture.
But unions such as the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union believe it will lead to the exploitation of foreign workers or “Mexicanization” of Australia’s job market and lower wages and conditions for all workers.
MPs such as the Nationals’ Kay Hull in the Riverina support the scheme, while others such as former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews have doubts.
Under the trial program, up to 5000 workers could come to Australia for between six and 12 months. They are likely to be restricted to the horticultural industry in the trial phase.
Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Duncan Kerr said any scheme would have legislative safeguards to prevent exploitation If Australia introduces the scheme, regulations would ensure workers are paid award wages, housed appropriately, and have access to the same protection as Australians
“We would certainly be building in mechanisms to deal with some of the practical concerns that people have raised,” Kerr said.
