The AMWU is pushing for better pay for workers on 457 visas and improved requirements for employers to prove that skilled jobs can’t be filled with local workers.

AMWU National President Julius Roe said the AMWU will join other unions to use a review of the 457 skilled migration program to campaign for a better deal for foreign workers.

“The experience of this union and others like the CFMEU and the AWU is that the skilled migration program is being used by employers to import cheap labour rather than hiring skilled workers that aren’t available here.

“There have been too many cases of workers brought to Australia on 457 visas who have been terribly exploited and we need mechanisms to prevent the ability of employers to do this.”

Mr Roe says one such mechanism is to have foreign workers wages bound by collective agreements.

"We'll be arguing that there should be a specific requirement to pay market rates and that those market rates should essentially be made applicable in relevant collective agreements," he said.

Mr Roe said the AMWU would push to guarantee coverage by collective agreements for 457 visa holders in workplaces where they were already in place.

“This means that employers cannot use 457 workers to undercut pay and conditions of the permanent workforce.”

“As it stands employers must pay a minimum wage, but not necessarily the going rate.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans announced in April a review of the program which in 2006-07 issued 46,680 overseas workers with 457 visas.

The AMWU is also pushing for more stringent requirements from employers to demonstrate that a labour shortage exists or demonstrate they had tried unsuccessfully to fill skilled jobs locally.

Mr Roe said unions would push for greater regulation in the scheme to ensure workers weren't exploited by employers who took excessive deductions from their pay to cover health insurance, accommodation and migration agent fees.

“If there is a genuine need to import workers due to a skills shortage, there is no reason for them to be paid less than local workers. They are entitled to the same benefits and conditions.”