The Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has announced a ban on major fast food outlets importing staff. It is the first time an entire sector has been banned from sponsoring overseas workers.
Mr Dutton said: “Every Australian teenager should have the chance to get a job at the local shops,” “The Aussie kid shouldn’t be knocked out of the job by a foreign worker”.
In the past four years, more than 500 visas have been Âapproved in the fast-food Âindustry.
These workers will be forced to leave the country when their agreements terminate unless the fast-food outlet is able to mount an individual case as to why they should stay in the country.
More than 318 fast food Âoutlets across the country have overseas workers behind the counter.
McDonald’s has flown in 285 foreign workers under the Fast Food Industry Labour Agreement, KFC has 88 foreigners on their books and Hungry Jack’s has hired at least 74 people.
Two major fast food chains have applied for 68 new foreign workers as retail managers or supervisors.
“The fast food industry is one of the more common employers of school leavers and young people,” department advice stated.
The Minister said the CoalÂition government had cut back on the number of 457 visas being issued from a peak of 110,000 in 2013 to about 90,000 now.
The former Labor government approved a deal to allow major fast food outlets to fly in overseas workers.
The countries where most foreign workers on 457 visas come from are India, the United Kingdom, China, the Philippines and Ireland.
Fast food outlets will still be allowed to make formal requests for a foreign worker in exceptional circumstances.
See: Fast Food Chains in Australia
