Thread: Australia: Jail threat for bosses employing illegal workers

Jail threat for bosses employing illegal workers

THE Federal Government will crack down on employers who use illegal workers under laws that take effect from tomorrow.

Under the laws it will be a criminal offence to employ a person who is either illegally in Australia or is working in breach of their visa conditions.

The new laws will apply to any person or company that employs or refers illegal workers to work.

Minster for Immigration and Citizenship Kevin Andrews said people convicted will face fines of up to $13,200 and two years' imprisonment and companies will face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker with higher penalties for cases of exploitation, such as slavery, forced labour or sexual servitude.

"The Coalition Government is committed to helping Australian employers find eligible and legal workers from overseas,'' Mr Andrews said today.

"However, this commitment comes with an obligation to enforce our laws where we detect abuse of immigration arrangements.''

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0 ... 49,00.html

This could be good - or it could be like our latest crackdown.

The government will send you no-match letters. These seem to just be pieces of paper as there is no enforcment behind them. But -- if you choose to actually make your illegals 'legal' = we are adding some 'new and improved' options and numbers to the temporary visa program.
Hint! Hint!!

Might these new no-match letters just be a way to help the employers to identify their illegal workers that show a descrepancy so they can get them made 'legal' =- or oursource them to another service company?