Illegal workers next door to Howard

Date: 17 March 2000

The CFMEU in recent weeks has uncovered shonky immigration scams involving the employment and exploitation of illegal immigrants in the building industry.

Two subcontractors at the Piano Building site in Phillip Street right next door to Prime Minister John Howard's Sydney Ministrial office were also invoved in the scam. The workers were being paid less than 50% of union rates. Payroll tax and workers compensation premiums were also not paid.
The Howard Government claimed in Parliament yesterday the CFMEU was exaggerating the extent of the problem of illegal labour in the Sydney construction industry.
But the numbers speak louder than words-there are over 30 illegals found so far.
According to CFMEU State Secretary Andrew Ferguson, the Government needs to act now to stop the systematic exploitation of vulnerable people and the undercutting of Australians wages and conditions.
'The Government snipes from Canberra while the problem the union has identified continues. We can find illegals right next door to where the Prime Minister works in Sydney, why can't the Government find them?'

For further information

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

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