Representing groups for food retailers,farmers and transport companies are backing the proposed plan to keep workers in their jobs,but warn its success hinges on the plentiful supply of rapid antigen tests,which are currently in short supply and are expected to remain so for weeks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday the situation demanded “a fair bit of patience” as governments worked to “problem-solve” the issues across food and other supply chains.
Peak employer representative Australian Industry Group said there were hundreds of thousands of Australian visa holders with limited or no working rights who could be brought in to fill shortages in the industries of aged care,supermarkets,food processing and supply,agriculture,tourism and hospitality.
“Ai Group would like to see consideration given to a temporary granting of work rights to all visa holders currently in Australia to allow them to work in the areas of acute need,” said Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox.
“Why not,for example,allow temporary skilled 482 visa holders to earn extra money ... right now they can only work for one sponsor.”
Acting Employment and Workforce Minister Anne Ruston said on Wednesday the government was considering ways to get people without a job to fill workforce gaps.