Throsby MP Stephen Jones has called some employers ‘‘job snobs’’ for snubbing Illawarra workers in favour of those from overseas.
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Mr Jones said he will be lobbying the federal Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor to raise the bar when granting temporary skilled work visas - also known as 457 visas - to overseas workers.
‘‘I remember when the leader of the Opposition referred to some workers as ‘job snobs’,” Mr Jones said.
‘‘The new ‘job snobs’ could now be employers who are seeking permission to bring in 457 labour because they think local skilled workers aren’t suitable.“Of course workers need to be ready, willing and able to work in the industry, and the people that I’ve spoken to in my electorate tick all these boxes.’’
Mr Jones said these workers included those over 50 who claimed they were discriminated against on the basis of their age.
‘‘The message we need to send to businesses is you can’t ask to bring in 457 labour when there are plenty of local jobseekers who are ready, willing and able to do the work,’’ Mr Jones said.
‘‘And you certainly can’t discriminate against a worker because of their age. Too many job seekers have told me they are being passed over because they’re over 50.
“What I’m saying to the Minister is we should not be giving employers’ permission to use 457 visas unless they offer local workers the job first.”
