Fast food chains banned from using 457 visas

FOREIGNERS will be barred from taking up jobs at fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s and KFC in a federal government crackdown.

Foreigners will be barred from taking up jobs at fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s and KFC.

FOREIGNERS will be barred from taking up jobs at fast food restaurants in a federal government crackdown.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is scrapping a former Labor government’s deal that allowed major fast food outlets to import staff on 457 visas.

McDonalds, Hungry Jack’s and KFC will be barred from sponsoring foreign workers on 457 visas, which are intended to fill temporary skill shortages.

“Australian workers, particularly young Australians, must be given priority,” Mr Dutton said in a statement.

Existing foreign workers will be forced to leave Australia once their agreements run out unless the restaurant is able to present an individual case as to why they should remain in the country.

It is the first time an entire sector has been banned from using the visas.

Addressing reporters in Canberra, Mr Dutton said he was “more concerned about mum and dads who want their teenage kids to get a job”.

“It teaches them the value of money, I think it teaches them respect for people who are coming into the shop. I think it teaches them a work ethic they might not have got otherwise,” he said.

“The fact Labor preferred foreign workers over Australian workers is for them to explain.”

Mr Dutton said the workers affected would be at all levels of the businesses, and could include managers as well as burger-flippers.

Originally published as Fast food chains banned from using 457 visas