VIETNAM has become the first country to sign an agreement to send workers to Australia as part of the Federal Government’s agriculture visa.
The move was welcomed by Member for Mallee Anne Webster, who said it could bode well for the future of the agriculture visa.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the countries on Monday.
The agriculture visa, announced last October, was initially slated to bring the first workers under the visa from December 2021.
Further details about the MoU have not yet been released, but Dr Webster said horticulturists in the region would be “thrilled” by the news.
“(And) I’m thrilled that Vietnam has had the confidence to step up and sign with Australia,” Dr Webster said.
“My hope is that this move by Vietnam, will see other countries sign up as well.
“The agriculture visa aims to source skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers across a broad range of agricultural industries.
Designed to supplement the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, the agriculture visa has faced opposition from unions who have claimed the visa could create a second-class workforce. In February, a government spokesperson confirmed that the visa would initially be capped to 1000 workers.
Dr Webster said she was confident there would be safeguards for workers under the PALM scheme, which begins in April, in response to ongoing concerns regarding worker safety and the provision of appropriate accommodation.
“My understanding is that many of the issues that have been raised in the past will be resolved with the program moving forward.
“According to the PALM scheme fact sheet, workers will have a 24/7 welfare hotline, while PALM scheme relationship managers will be employed in regions to provide an “on-the-ground presence”. The Federal Government also claims the Fair Work Ombudsman will have support to proactively educate and support workers on their rights.
