While in some countries, Greece for instance, unemployment soars due to the recession, in other countries there are areas that suffer from skills shortages.

Australia belongs to the second category and the Australian government has decided to address labor shortages by enabling employers to hire foreign workers on salaries up to 10% below the standard rates for skilled migrants.

Dozens of job categories will be covered, including mechanics, carpenters, builders, childcare workers, carers of elderly people, cooks, nurses, managers etc.

Under a new kind of migration agreement for areas that suffer from skills shortages, employers will be able to hire overseas staff on wages up to 10% below the usual rates set for 457 skilled worker visas. It should be noted that the 457 visa is the most commonly used program for Australian or overseas employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to work in Australia temporarily.

As part of the program, the language tests for foreign workers will also be made easier.

The Australian Government argues that the lack of skilled workers threatens the various branches of production, causing significant damage to the national economy.

The unions, however, warn that bringing in foreign workers on lower wages will inevitably lead to Australian wages being brought down.

However, Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash told The Australian that the overseas workers “would have to be paid at least the same as Australian staff, when the new arrangements are offered to local areas suffering from skills shortages.”