1715 Foreign Workers Surprised Cameron

Labor Senator Doug Cameron expressed his surprised with the federal government’s announcement that it is hiring more than 1,700 foreign workers for a mining project in Western Australia. Cameron was the former Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary. 

The senator expressed his anger over the new work arrangement, saying this came at a bad time when many Aussie workers are laid off in many industries. 

Cameron said the federal government should have held consultations first before deciding on the matter. He added that workers are marching off their jobs in different parts of the country. 

Senator Cameron is careful to point fingers directly to Prime Minister Julia Gillard but he emphasized that the government should not have proceeded with the plan. 

The federal government has approved Gina Rinehart’s proposal to hire more than 1,700 foreign workers to work on the Roy Hill iron ore project. Hiring of the foreign workers will be done over the next three years and they will be given an Australian visa. 

Under the Enterprise Migration Agreement, 2,000 Aussie workers will be trained for work in the resources industry. 

According to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, the Roy Hill project is of national significance that would allow access to the untapped resources of the Pilbara region. 

Despite the outcry over the hiring of foreign workers, a spokesperson from Rinehart’s office said Roy Hill prioritizes hiring and training Aussie employees. The employment of foreign workers is to ensure that the company meets the surge construction needs. 

Rinehart is one of the world’s richest women and Australia’s biggest mining magnate.