As many struggled to find work in Australia, some for as long as 4 months and still unemployed. Could Singapore be the answer to the problem? Click on the picture to view the website.
I wonder if Singapore is in a better shape than here.
The academics here are arguing now that the 457 visa program is being exploited by businesses to undercut wages, and 457 visa holders are vulnerable to exploitation because the employer knows they're not going to retaliate because they're desperate to get the permanent resident (PR) nomination.
I can definitely identify with this one. Singaporean companies have been doing this for a long time.
But I have to say that this view can be quite biased because I know many Singaporean accountants in the Big Four are on the 457 visa and they are treated fairly as a local staff. I have not heard any one of them being threatened to be sent back to Singapore if they do not work harder than a local employee. They are employed here because of their professional skills. The situation only happens if the staff does not qualify for to apply to be PR.
In 2007-08, about 58,050 migrants came in under the 457 program. In that year, about 90% of the 17,760 permanent migrants who were sponsored by an employer onshore were former 457 visa holders.
We are one of them. I have to say that a 457 visa has definitely opened up many doors to those who want to work in Australia, with their job skills are not in demand list. You are almost guaranteed not able to find a job if you are not a permanent resident here. Even if you are holding a 457 visa, most companies will be reluctant to hire you.
A work holiday visa has also opened a way for many people to come and have a taste of working here. I'm not very happy about about the fact that Singapore is offering a work holiday visa for Australians, but the similar program from Australia is not being offered to Singaporean.
Hey, where is the reciprocal arrangement? Even the Malaysians can apply for it now.
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