Presentation

2. Presentation Outlines the Pilot, noting a two phase approach Notes regions and participating countries Structure of the pilot including local advisory bodies, visa numbers and key costs for labour hire companies Process for further questions Process for applying to participate

3. The Pilot • 2500 visas (not individuals) over three years • Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea • Targeting areas of unmet labour demand in horticulture sector in regional Australia • Aims to enable workers to contribute to economic development in home countries through employment experience, remittances, and training

4. Structure Australian Government MoU Pacific Island Governments Approval under Migration regulations Agreement Labour Hire Company LocalAdvisory Body Approved Recruitment Processes Selection Selection Employment Contract Eligible Growers Workers

5. Labour Hire Company as the employer... Labour Hire Company as the employer… Local advisory bodies… Local knowledge and local oversight

6. The first regions: Griffith and Swan Hill- Robinvale

7. Other regions in Australia Queensland • Stanthorpe is also being considered. It has a long harvest season and demonstrated unmet demand for labour. Transport, accommodation and arrangements for any local advisory body are still being considered • Labour market survey work will commence shortly in Bowen (FNQ), Mundubbera-Gayndah and St George • Consulting with industry bodies. Among the criteria for consideration an area needs to have: (a) a harvest season that extends continuously for at least six months; (b) demonstrated unmet demand for labour; (c) suitable arrangements for transport and accommodation for these workers; and (d) strong support for the Pilot from the local growers, Council and community.

8. Costs • full costs of the return international airfare (with half to be recouped from the worker over the duration of the employment relationship) • all the costs of internal transfers to and from the port of arrival and departure to the region • repatriation costs - the Approved Labour Hire Company may be liable for the cost of removal and repatriation of workers who have breached the conditions of their visa. These costs are not to exceed $10,000.

9. International Airfares – (illustrative only)

10. Internal transfers (illustrative only)

11. Visa numbers…over three years • 800 for Tonga • 800 for Vanuatu • 250 for Kiribati • 650 for Papua New Guinea Note the desirability of successful workers returning insubsequent seasons during the Pilot

12. The Republic of Kiribati Population: 98,000 Language: English

13. Republic of Kiribati The Republic of Kiribati has: • A work ready labour pool - pre-screened based on pre selection by Island Councils and screening committee. A list of suitable candidates can be provided for labour hire companies to interview or make recruitment decisions. • Agents must hold a recruitment licence and will recruit on your behalf. • Contact:Mr Taakei Taoba, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, PO Box 69, Bairiki, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati secretary@labour.gov.ki or +686 21097

14. The Kingdom of Tonga Population: 103,000 Languages: Tongan and English

15. Kingdom of Tonga The Kingdom of Tonga has: • A work ready pool – selected by village/community committees and then further screened by the Ministry. The Ministry can provide a list of suitable candidates and arrange interviews.* • LHC can engage a local person to recruit for them but must contact the Ministry about this. • Contact: Mr Sitiveni Finau, Deputy Secretary, Labour Division, Ministry of Labour and Commerce and Industries, PO Box 110, Nuku’Alofa. sitivenif@mlci.gov.toor Ph: +676 23365 *This is the preferred recruitment mechanism in Tonga

16. The Republic of Vanuatu Population: 229,000 Languages: Bislama, English and French

17. The Republic of Vanuatu Two options: • Licensed recruitment agents who register and screen workers based on recommendations from chiefs and church leaders. • Can recruit direct but need a permit. • Contact: Mr Lionel Kaluat, The Commissioner of Labour, Vanuatu Department of Labour, PMB 9022, Port Vila. lkaluat@vanuatu.gov.vu, and Ph: +678 22610 Alternatively, contact Sylvie Kalmet, Employment Services Unit, Vanuatu Department of Labourpro.esu@dol.gov.vu or +678 29937

18. The Pilot First Phase • Expression of interest process for a Labour Hire Company in Swan Hill and Griffith regions (could be just one company) for up to 100 workers to assist meet current season’s demand Second Phase • Expression of interest process by late March for the remaining 2400 visas • Swan Hill, Griffith, and a Queensland region • Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu

19. Department of Immigration and Citizenship

20. Approved Labour Hire Companies • The direct employer of seasonal workers • Invitation from an Approved Labour Hire Company is a prerequisite for a visa • Will enter a deed of agreement with DEEWR and a Special Program Agreement with DIAC • These agreements will include undertakings to ensure the wellbeing of workers and the success of the Pilot

21. Employment responsibilities • Only place workers with eligible growers • Work with local advisory body to ensure at least 30 hours work per week for 6 months • Negotiate an appropriate industrial instrument • Ensure appropriate pay and conditions for workers • Ensure suitable OH&S arrangements

22. Assistance for workers • Ensure adequate accommodation • at reasonable cost to worker • Arrange transport to worksite • at reasonable cost to worker • Assist with tax file number application, access to personal banking, tax return and superannuation claim • Ensure necessary translations provided

23. Pastoral care • Cooperate with local advisory body to ensure pastoral care and community engagement • On-arrival orientation • Assist workers to participate in government funded ‘add-on’ training • Ensure workers have opportunities for recreation and religious observance

24. Coordination • With local advisory body: • Number of workers/ eligible growers • Pastoral care • Dispute resolution • With Government: • Visa applications • Monitoring of pilot/ workplace conditions • Evaluation

25. Labour Hire Company costs • Return airfare to Australia • Half can be recouped from workers • Transport from international arrival point to local accommodation • Arrange health insurance • Costs can be recouped from workers • In concert with local advisory bodies, provide on-arrival orientation and pastoral care • Costs of visa non-compliance

26. Selection criteria An approved labour hire company must: • be an employer incorporated in Australia; • be in a sound financial position; • have human resource policies and practices which are of a high standard and promote the welfare of Pacific Seasonal workers; • have a demonstrated commitment to employing and training Australians; • be a member of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association Ltd (RCSA) or another Australian peak recruitment body or be willing to comply with the RCSA Code of Conduct or similar industry standard;

27. Selection criteria (cont’d) • have good workplace practices including a history of compliance with all immigration and employment legislation such as the Migration Act 1958, the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the Occupational Health and Safety legislation of Australia and relevant States; • have an operational presence (office, storefront) or capacity to establish an operational presence in the region(s) or other arrangements to ensure co-ordination/pastoral care; and • have the capacity to fulfil all of the roles of the Approved Labour Hire Company.

28. How to apply • Contact DEEWR who will provide: • Draft agreements • Answers to questions • Provide DEEWR with proposal and any supporting information by 22 December 2008 for phase one • DIAC and DEEWR “one stop shop” to consider application

29. Recap • Seeking EOI for first 100 to Griffith/Swan Hill • Questions to seasonalworker@deewr.gov.au • EOIs close at 5pm on 22 December 2008 • EOIs lodged with seasonalworker@deewr.gov.au • EOI for 2400 visas around March 2009