Indian temporary workers, students to be hit as Australia set to scrap Covid visa: Report
Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 May, 2023 10:58 AM
Melbourne, May 17 (IANS) The Australian government is set to scrap the Subclass 408 or Covid work visa in a move that could see a sizable number of Indian students and temporary workers scrambling for other options to remain in the country, a media report said.
Also known as the Temporary Activity visa, the Subclass 408 allows applicants to work in Australia if they are employed or have an offer of employment in a key sector.
"The government is currently considering its ongoing suitability. This includes consideration of an end date for closing eligibility of the visa (Subclass 408) and proposed approach to returning to normal operations," Department of Home Affairs (DHA) told SBS, a multicultural, multilingual broadcaster in Australia.
The development coincides with the Australian government's move to impose a new working hour limit of 48 hours per fortnight for foreign students, beginning July 1.
The Covid work visa offered students freedom to work unlimited hours but now work hour caps will return, reducing their income.
However, international students working in the aged care sector will be exempted from this cap until December 31.
"The closure of this visa will affect many, including international students. They will be looking at a different visa to stay in Australia and for which they will pay," Suman Dua, a migration expert told SBS, adding that the Covid work visa was free to obtain.
The Covid work visa was initially introduced to provide relief for foreign students in Australia who were unable to leave the country during Covid-related border closures.
It allowed students to live in the country for an additional 12 months if their visas expired.In March 2022, the DHA announced that the Covid work visa would be extended as part of the government's efforts to revive the Australian economy hit by the pandemic.
To address the persistent shortage of labour, DHA implemented a more flexible policy regarding visa condition 8107, which relates to work limitations for Subclass 408 visa holders.
"There are a range of permanent or temporary visas that pandemic event visa holders may be eligible to apply for to remain in Australia," the DHA told SBS.
Jobanpreet Singh, 21, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of murder in the first degree on Thursday, the Portland Police Bureau said. Portland police are yet to publicly identify the two men who died.
But even though the emergency phase is over, he's emphatic the pandemic hasn't ended, noting recent spikes in cases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Sally Harris from Ottawa says she and other members of the Monarchist League of Canada are hoping to watch the coronation procession under a big Canadian flag and wave at King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as they go by.
Parminder Singh Bajwa and wife Harpreet Kaur died on the scene last week when their car was hit head-on by a distracted driver apparently reaching for his cell phone, the Washington State Patrol said. The distracted driver, who had suddenly crossed into oncoming traffic, was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The local police said an unidentified gunmen shot seven teachers in the staffroom of the tehsil's high school. The teachers were in the building for performing their exam duties, The News reported.
Mrs. Obama is a co-founder and strategic partner of PLEZi Nutrition. She will work behind the scenes on its educational and philanthropic efforts, according to aides, who stressed that she will not be a spokesperson or public face of the company. It was unclear whether she put any money down to help launch the company or whether she will draw a salary.
