Alba International React to the Controversial Decision to Abolish the 457 Visa

    BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, April 29, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Alba International was founded in Australia at the end of 2014 by a group of sales and marketing professionals from Scotland. With their 12 years of experience in the UK sales and marketing industry, the group felt it was time for a new challenge and Australia was the destination of choice. The group initially launched in Sydney and recently took their services to Queensland. As a company founded by individuals who used the 457-visa system, the firm took a keen interest in the recent news.

For more information, visit www.albainternational.com.au.

On April 18th, President Malcolm Turnbull revealed that the 457 visas for skilled workers would be abolished. The announcement came on Facebook - with President Turnbull explaining the visa would be axed as part of his plan to put Australians first. The 457 visa will be replaced with a regime that will include shorter-term visas that make it harder to gain permanent residency, as well as a reduction in the number of skills eligible for the visa. Crucially for Alba international and the other 95,000 workers currently on the 457 Visa, their status will not change.

The proposed replacement regime will include a two-year stream visa with a broad list of occupations. The second visa class will focus on workers with higher skills and will have an extended four-year limit. It will also require a higher standard of English than the two-year visa. Both will require prior work experience and a criminal record check, plus extensive testing of the local labour market for available skills. As part of the changes, the short-term visa will cost $1,150, while the medium-term visa targeted at higher skilled workers will cost $2,400. Unlike the current system, neither replacement visa will offer a permanent migration outcome.

Speaking at a press conference after the announcement, President Turnbull said the changes were to ensure the migration system is working in the national interest and to ensure Australian jobs are filled by Australian workers wherever possible.

The management team at Alba International understand the intentions to put Australians first. However, they are concerned about the impending impact on their business and the job market as a whole. The overall reaction from the Australian start-up community has been negative, with some believing it could even drive companies to set up in Europe or the US.

"It's too early to comment on the impact this will have. However, it's reassuring to know that the 95,000 workers on the current 457 Visa will be unaffected and that the management team at Alba International will be able to continue their great work," said a spokesperson for the firm.

Alba International is a direct marketing and sales firm based in Brisbane. Through face-to-face promotional marketing and sales campaigns, Alba International can build relationships with customers, handle queries, instil consumer confidence and build brand loyalty.

SOURCE: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/turnbull-scraps-457-visas-for-skilled-workers-2017-4

Alba International strategically develops innovative retail sales campaigns that are presented to consumers in engaging methods that are memorable. Follow on Twitter and Facebook.

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