the widespread shortage of skilled labor in Australia; Canberra seeks to facilitate the process of accepting immigrants

A massive labor shortage in Australia has hindered the country's economic recovery. Some employers are willing to do whatever it takes to hire people even in low-skill positions.

Radio France, in part of its reporter's report in Australia, said that the owner of an Italian restaurant on the coast of Australia is ready to do anything to attract labor as the summer season approaches in the southern hemisphere. He says he wants to hire more than 150 people immediately, and is even willing to offer them a $4,500 hiring bonus.

It comes as the Australian Council of Trade Unions has joined calls for an increase in foreign labor caps to help address widespread labor shortages, a problem that is drawing attention from industry and government.

This comes after the Australian federal government decided late last week to increase foreign labor recruitment from 160,000 to 180,000 to 200,000 per year, a 25 percent increase.

In its report published on Wednesday, August 18, the Australian Council of Trade Unions discussed the considerations that should be taken into account when increasing the foreign labor cap.

The report agreed that this workforce increase was necessary but said it was important to create a plan that did not exploit foreign workers and ignore local skills development.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michelle O'Neill said: "Our immigration and skills system is broken. This has led to the widespread exploitation of temporary migrant workers and the neglect and deterioration of our skills training system."

He added that they support a visa system that prioritizes permanent immigration and supports the expansion of permanent immigration.

The Australian government on Wednesday funded 20,000 more university positions, citing the fact that 90 percent of new jobs will require higher education in the next five years.

With Australia exiting the red status of the Corona epidemic, the country's unemployment rate has reached its lowest rate since 1974, i.e. only 3.5%.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report published at the end of June, the number of job vacancies has now reached 480,100, which is slightly less than the number of people who are officially unemployed. This has led to a massive labor shortage.

A recent National Australia Bank report found that four in 10 Australian small and medium-sized businesses believe labor shortages have a "very significant impact on their business".

"When I talk to clients, the number one issue they keep bringing up is labor shortages, and it's across all sectors, all over the country," said Andrew Irwin, head of the commercial and private banking group.

Australia says it has a universal non-discriminatory immigration program under which people can apply to immigrate to Australia regardless of their ethnic background, gender or religion, provided they meet certain criteria. Australia's permanent immigration program is designed to meet Australia's economic, demographic and labor market needs with a strong focus on skilled labor immigration.