THE FORGOTTEN SECONDS: EXAMINING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY 457

Abstract

Over the past decade workers employed under the temporary skilled 457 visa category have aroused much controversy in Australia. Indeed a recent Australian Government inquiry proposed some significant changes to the 457 visa category. However while there has been discussion of 457 visa holders in the popular press over the years, there has been a dearth of academic research in the area. In order to build on this limited knowledge, this thesis analyses both primary and secondary 457 visa holders within the Australian labour market, and in particular, within the Australian beef industry. Taken together this thesis seeks to give a voice to a group of male and female non- English speaking background (NESB) migrant workers employed in what is often regarded as ‘dirty’ and undesirable work. Analysis is particularly directed to secondary 457 visa holders, who have been virtually forgotten by key government organisations including the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The research analyses the experiences and attitudes of primary and secondary visa workers undertaking slaughtering, boning, and meat packing work within one large abattoir in the Australian state of Queensland. In doing so, it seeks to fill both an empirical and theoretical ‘gap’ through exploring how migration status and gender shape migrant entry into specific labour markets, as well as the attachment of migrants to particular jobs, and the future intentions of migrants to seek permanent residency. The thesis argues that migrant networks, both in Australia and Brazil, have played an important role in encouraging temporary migrant workers into the Australian beef industry. Similarly, the study highlights the strength of (gendered and occupational) network ties which have ultimately shaped NESB migrant women’s location within this unskilled segment of the labour market. Further the thesis identifies that the majority of 457 visa workers in the study reported a strong desire to remain in Australia.