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India examining consequences of Australia abolishing popular visa programme

by IBNS 19 Apr 2017, 08:57 am

New Delhi, Apr 19 (IBNS) : After the Australian Government announced that it will abolish the Subclass 457 Visa for foreign workers-a move that spells uncertainty for many Indians working there-India said that it is looking into the consequences.

"The Government   is examining consequences of the new policy in consultation with all stakeholders. This is also a matter we will be looking at in the context of CECA negotiations," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Gopal Baglay said in response to a query.

 The Australian Government on Tuesday said it will safeguard Australian jobs by abolishing the Subclass 457 Visa for foreign workers and creating a new temporary visa restricted to critical skills shortages.

The move to abolish the popular work visa used by over 95,000 foreign workers, majority of them Indians, is aimed to ensure that  Australian workers are given the absolute first priority for jobs.

Under the new provision,  businesses will be able to temporarily access the critical skills they need to grow if skilled Australians workers are not available, read a statement issued by the Australian Prime Minister's website. 

The Subclass 457 Visa will be abolished and replaced with the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa. 

The new visa will include mandatory criminal checks and tighter English language requirements.