By SAT News Desk
Melbourne 27 January : An Indian restaurant in Melbourne has had its 457 visa sponsorship agreement cancelled and will be barred from the visa programme for five years after failing to meet a range of sponsorship obligations, including providing equivalent pay and conditions.
One employee’s salary fluctuated based on daily takings and another employee was underpaid by more than $4000. Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the case serves as a warning to other 457 visa sponsors to uphold their responsibilities and act lawfully.
‘This action by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is a result of months of monitoring,’ Minister Cash said.
‘The business failed to maintain its responsibilities on a number of fronts, including the obligation to keep records, to provide equivalent terms and conditions, and to not provide false and misleading information.’
The infringement notice was issued in August 2014, and included a fine of $15 300 for failing to keep records. In January 2015, further breaches of obligations were found and the sponsorship agreement was cancelled and a five year ban was placed on future applications.
‘The Department is constantly monitoring 457 sponsors to ensure they are operating appropriately. Businesses acting in good faith have nothing to fear, but we want to send a strong message that if you breach your obligations, you can expect to face the consequences, including fines and cancellation of your sponsorship,’ Minister Cash said.
‘The Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s last Annual Report shows the number of sponsors monitored in 2013-14 increased by almost 20 per cent compared to the previous year.’
The number of sponsors sanctioned in 2013-14 increased by 68 per cent compared to the previous year.
In the first quarter of 2014 (January – March), 199 Illegal Worker Warning Notices were issued, compared with 55 for the same period in 2013. Equally, there was a 28 per cent increase in field action, with 1475 field actions occurring between January – March 2014.
‘Under a Coalition Government, Australians can be confident that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is adequately resourced to ensure that those sponsors and visa holders found to be breaching their obligations are targeted and appropriate action is taken against them,’ Minister Cash said.
– SAT News Service
