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Industries hit by workforce shortage as immigration policies tighten

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

Industries facing workforce shortages are dismayed by political policies to curb immigration and narrow the definition of skilled migrants.

Industries experiencing workforce shortages have reacted with dismay to political policies to curb immigration and narrow the definition of a skilled migrant. The government, coalition and One Nation have each announced different policies to slash migration and rethink the role of international students and tradespeople in the economy.

David Bitton, a French-born restaurateur who moved to Australia in 1991 as a qualified chef, said the restrictions were making his hospitality business difficult. He operates a long-running cafe in Sydney's eastern suburbs with a multicultural workforce, which he said fosters a sense of community. 'So when you see now the policy about immigration and how they make it hard ... it's embarrassing,' he said.

Labor's plan includes redesigning the skilled migration points test so housing construction trade qualifications carry the same point value as a university degree. Visa applications already prioritise a number of sectors including construction, healthcare and resources under a ministerial direction which took effect in September. Bitton argued that the hospitality industry could not fill shortages of chefs and waitstaff without migrants, saying 'Australians don't want to be in the hospitality industry. They do it when they're going to uni ... but this is not in their blood.'

Industries hit by workforce shortage as immigration policies tighten
Image: Perth Now

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In this story: David Bitton · Labor · One Nation · Australia · Sydney

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