Migrant workers to bolster tourism sector?

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Created on Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:47

Written by Editorial staff

Tourism workers from overseas may be in need of migration visas, as plans are being discussed to boost the sector through foreign labour.

Addressing a Queensland Tourism Industry Council breakfast, tourism and energy minister Martin Ferguson explained that skilled migrants have already proved essential to other industries.

Tourism is a major economic driver in Queensland, as it employs around 5.5 per cent of the state's workforce, while attracting more than 50 million visitors every year.

It is also believed to account for approximately 3.3 per cent of Queensland's economy.

The resources sector is starting to reap the rewards of migrant labour, and Mr Ferguson identified some similarities between the two industries.

They have both benefited from considerable economic growth in Asian countries and are highly important to the strength of Queensland as a whole.

With all their successes, however, there are some challenges that lay ahead, including the strength of the dollar and job shortages within the tourism sector.

"The three-year Seasonal Worker Program trial commenced on 1 July 2012, bringing workers from the Pacific and East Timor to support accommodation providers in five regions of high seasonability," commented Mr Ferguson.

Among these regions are Tropical North Queensland and the Whitsundays, which are currently undergoing a trial to see how migrant workers can bring advantages.

At last year's Tourism Employment Roundtable, the idea that the Working Holiday Visa should be extended to tourism workers was discussed - Mr Ferguson explained that this is still being considered by the minister for immigration.

He noted that there is also a "tremendous need for labour" in mining industries, as Skills Australia estimates that 89,000 more employees will be needed by 2016.

If Australia is to continue to deliver on new projects - and avoid passing the pressure on to other industries such as tourism - then this labour shortage needs to be addressed.

The tourism minister continued: "The government has implemented a comprehensive National Resources Sector Workforce Strategy to achieve this, including Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs).

"These enable projects worth more than $2 billion and with more than 1500 workers to access overseas labour when vacancies can't be locally filled."

EMAs have been established to make sure major projects will be sustainable in the long term, while also easing the pressure on other industries such as tourism.

Mr Ferguson added that efforts need to be made to ensure tourism and mining are able to complement each other in the future.