Locals paid $4 an hour at Nauruan detention centre

NAURUANS recruited to work at Australia's reopened detention centre in the Pacific are being paid as little as $4 an hour, up to 10 times less than the Australian citizens working alongside them in kitchens, as guards, cleaners and as maintenance and office workers. 

 

Last month, Julia Gillard was critical of billionaire Gina Rinehart's suggestion Australians must compete with Africans prepared to work for $2 a day, saying it was "not the Australian way to toss people $2, to toss them a gold coin, and them ask them to work for a day".

But it has emerged that some residents of Nauru, the republic where more than 25 per cent of the population were assessed as living below the poverty line in 2006, are not happy that their people are being paid at a different rate to Australians by a contractor engaged by the Gillard government.

Resident Clint Deidenang acknowledges that $4 an hour is not a low wage in Nauru, but says the pay rates for the estimated 70 indigenous Nauruans employed by Transfield Services are much less than they first thought they would receive when they were recruited by the logistics and maintenance company. Mr Deidenang said there were high hopes and much excitement last month when Transfield representatives came to the Nauru Aussie Rules grand final to hand out flyers about work opportunities at the new detention centre.

"People quit their jobs to work for the detention centre because they thought it would be a lot of money for their family," Mr Deidenang said. "It turned out to be not very different and much less than the Australians get."

The Australian has been told the locals' rates of pay range from between $4 and $10 an hour.

By comparison, Australian detention centre workers employed by subcontractor Wilson Security for Transfield Services on Nauru are believed to earn about $40 an hour including allowances. Detention centre workers employed at the Christmas Island immigration detention centre by subcontractor MSS are paid $38 an hour including meal allowances.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship yesterday defended Transfield Services, which told The Australian it was unable to comment under the terms of its agreement with the government.

"Transfield, as with all service providers, is required to ensure its staff are paid in accordance with relevant regulations, awards and conditions," a departmental spokesman said. "It's not appropriate for the department to go into detail about individual salaries or the pay and conditions except to say that the department is satisfied that Transfield is meeting its contractual obligations in relation to all of its staff."

Mr Deidenang, who works for a Nauruan construction company, said his people were paid more when the detention centre was run by the International Organisation for Migration during the Howard government. "My twin cousins were both working for them as lifeguards earning a monthly pay of $1600," he said. 

"Nauruans will never ever forget that glorious day."

Yesterday a spokesman for the IOM said: "We feel we paid appropriate market rates after consultation with the government and our own research."

A spokesman for the Nauruan government, Rod Henshaw, believed different rates of pay applied when the detention centre was open under the Howard government but the $4 an hour some were now earning was equivalent to what a senior public servant earned in Nauru.

There were other benefits from negotiations with Transfield, Mr Henshaw said.

"One of the conditions was that where possible (and appropriate) support service organisations would employ staff from local communities and purchase goods and other services locally where possible. The rationale behind this was based on the experience last time when huge amounts of food and other products were flown in. But against that, it must be said there was very little of that in supply on Nauru in 2001 and the imports were necessary. These days the economic climate is vastly improved and therefore Nauruan private enterprises have grown accordingly."

Source  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/locals-paid-4-an-hour-at-nauruan-detention-centre/story-fn9hm1gu-1226505683189

Arborist as a Career in Australia

Arborist as a Career in Australia

Being an Arborist is a special job and hence it needs certain qualifications. Only a well-trained arborist knows about each species of trees, plants or shrubs and how to maintain them. There are many schools and institutions that provide such training. To be an arborist is a good career choice especially if you are a nature buff. Have you ever imagined what the view would be like from the tallest tree in the neighborhood? Or wondered what the surroundings look like. I’m sure you’re thinking about it now, an Ariel view from the tree top.

Job Description and Responsibilities

Arborists are often referred to as tree doctors, tree surgeon and Climbers. They tend to trees, plant and shrubs and examine them for any issues related to structure, nutrition and disease. They evaluate damage or decay just by looking at the color and texture of the tree. If any infection, damage or decay is found, samples will be sent to the lab for complete examination.

Arborists prune and trim trees and shrubs, including removing dead branches. Sometimes living branches that are obstructions will be removed. These activities involve climbing tress. Special gear is worn while climbing trees. Mechanical lifts are also being employed for this purpose. As a safety precaution, it is important that Arborists wear safety gear which includes a helmet and gloves, and show extreme care when working with saws, clippers, shears and any other such tools. Generally, there are two kinds of arborist. The purist, involved more in gardens and tree pruning for aesthetic purposes, or practical arborists who work on power lines (often called ‘linies’), infrastructure etc. 

Read more here: http://www.konnecting.com/news/287/146/Arborist-as-a-Career-in-Australia

HMC plans to recruit 1,700 nurses next year

Faced with a severe shortage of qualified nurses, the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is planning to recruit 1,700 new nurses next year, including 37 Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The new recruits will be appointed across HMC’s eight hospitals and in the Home Healthcare Services.

The plan is part of a major overhaul currently underway at the nursing department, HMC said yesterday. 

Dr Nabila Al Meer, executive director of the department has been promoted to the role of Deputy Chief for Community Care and SCH Nursing Affairs.

Al Meer’s previous position will now be held by Dr Ann-Marie Cannaby, who joined HMC recently.

Al Meer has had a long and distinguished career at HMC, spanning almost 40 years. She is the first Qatari nurse to obtain a Master of Science in Administration at University of Texas and PhD in nursing from University of Miami, US. 

Cannaby has more than 20 years of experience in a variety of clinical managerial and research posts in large UK teaching hospitals.

In her new role, Al Meer will provide leadership to the residential and community workforce and also help to redefine the model of care for long-term patients and home care services. 

Hamad has growing home care, residential and nursing homes programmes throughout Qatar.  

Over 670 patients are registered in Hamad’s home care programme, which includes community and home healthcare services. 

Close to 140 patients are located in residential and nursing homes that are managed by the corporation. “Experienced and highly qualified nurses who are giving care at the bedside should have direct input into policies, clinical and practice decisions as equal partners in multi-disciplinary care organised around patients’ needs,”  said Al Meer.

The new plans include  recruitment of highly trained specialist nurses, investment in targeted education and research programmes to develop the Qatari nurse leaders of the future, and a commitment to the provision of high-quality, compassionate care to all patients.

The plans will also see a complete overhaul of nursing governance at HMC so that high powered nurse leaders will take their places alongside medical leaders as professional peers, providing multi-disciplinary care and executive leadership. 

HMC’s  managing director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, while announcing the new appointments yesterday said that a Director of Nursing Education and Research would also be appointed soon.

“Our vision is for expert nurses to promote good health, deliver excellent care and treat all patients with the utmost dignity and respect in our multi-cultural community, across all of our hospitals. We are investing in training and nurturing Qatari nurse leaders of the future to implement that vision,” said Al Kuwari.

HMC has worked closely with the University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) to deliver accredited Diploma and Bachelor Degree courses in nursing. In previous years, 26 students have graduated from the university and joined HMC full-time. A further 20 graduate nurses are expected to follow later this year. 

“We want Qatar’s young generation to seek a career in nursing as it represents a great opportunity for them to exhibit noble values and to become respected professional leaders who will influence the future development of our healthcare services,” said Dr Badriya Al Lenjawi, who will lead the Professional Development of HMC’s Nursing workforce.

In the past year HMC has appointed 17 new Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), with another 37 to be recruited in the coming year. 

CNSs are licensed nurses who have graduate nursing qualifications such as a Masters or Doctorate in Nursing. They are experts at diagnosing and treating illnesses and are responsible for providing evidence-based treatments and interventions.

Source  http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/211906-hmc-plans-to-recruit-1700-nurses-next-year.html

Australian employees over qualified

The increasingly global employment market will underpin an Australian brain drain if HR doesn’t put in place appropriate retention and engagement strategies, a recruitment expert has predicted. Randstad Australia’s HR manager Jane Bartrum told HRR the September data from the Randstad Workmonitor revealed a number of concerning employment trends.

Nearly half of all Australian respondents to the global quarterly survey believed they were overqualified for their job. However, 84% of employees in China believed they “hold expertise above and beyond their current position”. Bartrum warned this could see Chinese workers looking to move into Australia for career opportunities. She said while the Federal Government had changed conditions for the Living Away From Home Allowance (HRR 517) “there will always be a market for skilled migration in the workforce”. 

The data revealed many Australians believed they were overqualified for their role and most believed the workforce will experience a major brain drain in the coming years. Nearly 60% of local workers thought there will be a shortage of highly qualified staff within the next three years, and the same number believed businesses will suffer shortages in certain fields. Bartrum said despite international economic difficulties “local talent continues to look at long term career opportunities abroad”. She said local talent in their 30s were looking to move into global brands chasing the opportunity for international transfers. 

“HR needs to be thinking about succession planning and engagement strategies more.” She said HR should look at the language and needs of the “more mobile” younger workforce if they wanted to mimimise turn over and maximise the skills and enthusiasm of their workforce. She said younger workers increasingly looked to management as “coaches” and didn’t want to be “told what to do”. “It’s a challenging time for employers to find a happy medium for an engaged and productive workforce,” she said.

Source  http://sites.thomsonreuters.com.au/workplace/2012/10/22/australian-employees-over-qualified/

Motor Mechanic Jobs in Australia

Motor Mechanic
Motor mechanics are usually involved in the maintenance and servicing of cars and other light vehicles. The work itself is vast in scope and covers many aspects like building, routine servicing, testing, and maintaining the structural, mechanical and electrical systems of the vehicle. Lately, the term "motor mechanic" is being replaced by the title "automotive technician" (or “auto tech”) because of the amount of sophistication involved.

Work Activities
The work activities of a motor mechanic involve servicing and repairing cars, motor bikes and other light vehicles. They repair vehicles that have been in an accident or broken down. They also service vehicles that are due for service following standards that have been set by the manufacturer. Preventive maintenance is the fundamental part of the job.
Motor Mechanics (ANZSCO 321211) can work for one manufacturer or choose to work with many types of vehicles. They will have to be well versed with the different types of vehicles, the models and the care they need. Specialists in a particular make of vehicle undergo specialised training to become “Master technicians” (“master techs”).

For more information read here: http://www.konnecting.com/news/288/146/Motor-Mechanic-Jobs-in-Australia

Working in Australia

Many people dream of going to live and work in Australia. And many people live the dream. In the year ending on 30th June 2011, net overseas migration into Australia was calculated by the Australian government at about 170,000 people.

Today, the best way for an economic migrant to be able to emigrate to Australia is as a skilled worker. You may be able to go to Australia as a permanent migrant, if you have the right training and experience and fulfil various other criteria (such as gaining enough points under age and language skills). To do this you will probably have to qualify under the Australian points-based visa system. Once there, you will be live and work in Australia on a permanent basis.

Alternatively, if you are skilled in an occupation where there is a skills shortage in Australia and can find someone to offer you a job, you may be able to gain entry to Australia on a temporary work visa. These visas are known as 457 visas. They qualify their holders to stay in Australia for up to four years. You can take your family members with you and are free to come and go as you please. To qualify, you will need to be skilled in a trade or profession for which there is a shortage of available and qualified Australians and will need to obtain an offer of employment from an Australian employer.

However, according to Chris Slay, owner of recruitment company Skills Provision, only one in three jobs in Australia is ever advertised in public on jobs sites or the press. Most are dealt with by word of mouth or privately through a recruitment agency as firms don't want to receive thousands of CVs from unqualified applicants from around the globe.

For the job seeker, this is a problem. How do you find a job without travelling to Australia? In reality, says Mr Slay, that is the best way to do it. Alternatively, you might consider looking at the Skills Shortage Lists prepared by the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). You can find them online. You could then search online for a job.

However, Mr Slay says these lists are not as helpful as you might expect. There are several reasons for this. The first, he says, is that they are prepared by bureaucrats who have little understanding of the needs of employers. This means that they are often inaccurate or misleading.

Next, even where they are correctly compiled, the lists quickly become out-of-date. For both these reasons there are 'glaring omissions' on the skills shortage lists, according to Mr Slay; 'A classic example,' he says, 'is the national shortage of chefs from chefs de partie, sous chefs, through to Executive Chefs that are not on the skills shortage list,'.

Mr Slay says that his agency alone has 30-40 chef posts that need filling and these could be filled by all 'native born English speakers [who] hold a qualifying IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score'.

Australia requires that candidates for Australian visas should be tested on their ability in English under the IELTS system. Candidates will be tested on ability in

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

(Candidates can score between 0 and 9 in each test. 0 is scored by those who do not attend. 6- 7 is the level required by most university students.)

Since July 2011, candidates must score a minimum of 5 is required in each test to fulfil the language ability requirement. For some roles, where English ability is particularly vital, a higher score may be required.

Mr Slay says that other roles where there are significant skills shortages in Australia are:

• Engineers – especially automotive. Diesel Mechanics with 5 years' experience should have no difficulty obtaining 457 visa
• Commercial pilots
• Doctors, nurses and other medical staff
• Natural resources (mining, gas, oil)
• IT
• Accountants

However, he warns that the process is bureaucratic. If you do manage to find a job and are applying for a visa, you must be sure to get the paperwork right.

If you would like to apply for an Australian visa, workpermit.com can help. workpermit.com is a specialist visa consultancy with nearly twenty-five years of experience dealing with visa applications. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details

Source  http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-10-18/working-in-australia

Automotive Customer Service Jobs

You see a brand new shiny car on display, it lures you into the store, you go inside and you are greeted with a smile by a person who is clean, neat and well dressed. Just by looking at that person you know that he is going to help you. More often than not that person is the store manager. This can also be the after-sales customer service manager.
Becoming a manager of an automobile store involves a lot of experience and expertise in the field of Automobiles. She/he is knowledgeable not only about their products but also what their competitors have to offer. They know every single minute detail of their product. They will also be able to answer all your questions whether you are a pro or a layman.
A store manager is not easy in the making. That is what sets them apart from the rest of the employees. To start with they are required to have leadership qualities. These include being a good team player, a team builder and need to encourage their team mates. A motivator, as sales could go down sometimes. Basically a favourite among the staff they work with after all it’s their work that make a store manager successful. For a vehicle repair/maintenance store, ideally this person is a qualified mechanic / vehicle technician.

Read more and apply online here: http://www.konnecting.com/news/293/146/Automotive-Customer-Service-Jobs