Indian workers sought by Australian Agricultural Company

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Created on Thursday, 31 May 2012 16:39

Written by Editorial staff

The country's largest beef producer is hoping to expand its workforce over the coming months - and is looking to Indian workers to fill the available positions.

Australian Agricultural Company (AAco) is opening a $80 million abattoir in Darwin, creating 260 new positions in the process.

Chief executive of AAco David Farley has revealed that the plan has been in motion for 18 months and involves bringing Indian workers over to Australia on 457 and 417 visas.

Speaking to the Australian Financial Review on May 31, Mr Farley stressed the need to follow all the correct legal avenues when recruiting overseas workers, as migration agents will be well aware.

Mr Farley explained that there was little point in starting the project "with fear of unions and industrial problems".

"We want to run a safe, fair and equitable plant that offers long-term employment opportunities for people and therefore we need a productive workforce and if we go into this project with that philosophy we will be there for a long time," he commented.

This, however, has not stopped some union bosses airing their concerns about the scheme, with the president of Unions NT Heinz Schmitt suggesting that local labour should be sought before looking overseas.

Although India will be AAco's country of choice for workers, there may also be some opportunities for other overseas labourers to apply, such as those in Malaysia.

This has been facilitated by the company's strong relationship with IFFCO, a Malaysia-based shareholder that currently exterminates around 3.5 million buffalo a year.

A spokesperson from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was keen to point out that each application would be assessed based on its own merits and against the 457 visa criteria.

Australia remains a popular destination for skilled migrants, as accountancy firm PKF recently established in its latest Business and Population Monitor.

It found that the need for skilled migrants is growing, especially as companies are holding on to their workers for longer - meaning there will eventually come a time when significant gaps arise in the employment landscape.

Although Australia's population is expected to grow next year, migrants will continue to play an important role in driving the economy forward and ensuring that demand for key skills is met.

"Ultimately, workers need to come from somewhere, and with population growth continuing to slow and an increasingly aged workforce, skilled migration could prove the answer," said Matt Field, PKF's national director of enterprise advisers.