The centrepiece of Labour’s immigration reset gets the boot

Migrants on an accredited employer work visa currently have to be paid at least $29.66 per hour, while the adult minimum wage rate is $23.15. (Image: Getty)

Jem Traylen

Wed, 15 Jan 2025

Employers have welcomed the axing of the much-maligned median wage rule for work visas, but unions say it leaves a vacuum that could lead to migrant exploitation.Just before Christmas, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced an overhaul of the accredited employer work visa (AEWV) – the centrepiece of Labour’s 2022 immigration reset.Topping the list of the reforms, which take effect in March, is ditching the requirement that AEWV holders be paid at least the median wage.Blunt instrumentThe theory behind Labour’s policy wa...

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