petition against cheap foreign labour

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is seeking all members sign our petition (below) to lobby the Senate to oppose the Abbott Governments efforts to open the door for cheap foreign labour in the offshore sector. The Federal Liberal Party want to repeal legislation designed to protect Australian offshore workers and introduce MCV Visas. Under the MCV visa laws, there are no requirements for employers to demonstrate the unavailability of Australian workers. Australian workers will be left on the beach whilst cheap, subservient foreign workers take our jobs. There are no minimum rates of pay or conditions of employment. There will be a free for all. Sign the petition

https://www.change.org/petitions/petition-to-secure-australian-maritime-jobs

This is not a campaign based on racism or xenophobia but a campaign to ensure we have the same right as workers in every country - the right to work. Abbot has used secrecy, force and deception to stop starving refugees desperate to come to Australia for a better life but has opened the door for employers to fly in foreign workers to take our jobs.

Unless we stop these bad laws, Australian labour will be locked out of the offshore sector (both marine and construction). Tony Abbot will not stop there. He will continue to de-regulate the labour market in other sectors of the economy including stevedoring, construction, transport, manufacturing and hospitality.

The MUA are encouraging workers (regardless of what union they are in or whether they are in a union) to sign the petition. In addition, the MUA is encouraging members to get politically active to ensure we have a political voice to protect our sovereign right to work in this country. Members who want a career in the maritime industry should contact the Branch and request an ALP form so they can join the maritime branch of the Australian Labour Party. We need to ensure that we get a voice in parliament to protect our job security, pay and conditions.

It is important that you circulate this petition to workmates, friends and family. The only thing that will defeat us is complacency.

In Struggle

Chris Cain
MUA WA Branch Secretary