CFMEU exposes immigration racket

Date: 14 March 2000

A major illegal immigration racket is operating on Sydney's construction sites. Illegal workers-undercutting local workers wages and conditions-are being flown in, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has alleged today.

Two labour hire companies employing over 80 workers and paying them less than 50% of the legal minimum wage have been uncovered-over half their respective workforces were illegal. The companies are also committing workers compensation fraud and not paying payroll tax.
The Office of State Revenue, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Department of Immigration are understood to be investigating the matter.
Some principal contractors have been menaced for refusing to continue to use the sub-contract labour hire firms any longer-an official of the CFMEU has also received death threats forcing him to relocate his family.
According to CFMEU State Secretary Andrew Ferguson: 'This racket has become a major problem in the construction industry and of course its the big companies that profit. Workers and companies doing the right thing are losing out. We therefore demand the Federal Government tightens the laws to stop these rackets.'

For further information

Contact:	CFMEU State Secretary, Andrew Ferguson
Union:	CFMEU
Phone:	0413 837 337

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