Govt stands by 457 visa scheme

The Sydney Morning Herald
August 28, 2007

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews is standing by the 457 visa program after claims employer abuse of the scheme has led to the deaths of vulnerable foreign workers.

Unions ramped up criticism of the scheme and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd called for better monitoring after reports three 457 visa holders had died in the past five months.

Filipino farm supervisor Pedro Balading was thrown off the back of a truck and killed on a Northern Territory cattle station in June, not long after complaining he was being forced to do menial work in breach of his visa conditions. read more..