West Australian tourism operators, struggling to keep their workers in the face of burgeoning mining sector wages, will now be able to target prospective employees from the Pacific.
A small-scale pilot scheme focused on Broome, where tourist operators were able to pick up short-term workers from East Timor, has been expanded nationwide to include possible employees from PNG, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said yesterday the expansion was recognition of the 36,000 vacancies in the sector.
« Severe labour shortages are more pronounced in regional areas where the sector is competing for workers with the booming resources sector, » he said
« This three-year trial will make a real difference for the tourism industry, both here in Australia and in the region because tourism is a primary source of employment and economic development. »
The extension of the tourism pilot project, which started in September, is on top of a move to make a seasonal worker program for the agriculture sector permanent.
The program was developed after complaints from farmers, particularly those in the horticulture sector, that they were unable to get workers at peak planting and harvesting times.
There has also been support in Pacific countries where remittances – the cash sent home by nationals working in other nations – are vital to the local economy.
From July 1, the $21.7 million agriculture seasonal work program will become permanent.
Australian employers will have to show a commitment to employ Australian jobseekers first.
, le il y a 12 années et 11 mois.
