Australia : Union investigates raw deal for refugees at abattoir

Tags:  abattoir, settlement works, teys australia
, tells how Teys  Australia has made living and working in Australia a possibility for hundreds of asylum seekers who have fled war and horror. COMPASSIONATE COMPANIONS: Haider Ali Ahmadi and Abbas Ali Rezai have found that they are able to support each other as they adjust to life away from their families. Contributed
According to Settlement Works
, between April 2010 and February 2012, Teys employed 480 humanitarian refugees. 
Teys Australia told the report humanitarian refugees working at the Rockhampton meatworks had addressed a critical skills shortage.  
"Without humanitarian refugees and skilled migrants, Teys would find it very hard to continue production at sustainable levels at some sites, particularly in Rockhampton and Biloela," the report said.  
But there were signs of dissatisfaction.  
In February 2012, 306 were actively employed, while 174 had moved on or resigned.  
"Of the humanitarian refugees who resigned or moved on from the meatworks, the main motivation for leaving was that the work was not as expected, although some who left for this reason stayed for up to six months," the report said.  
"Others who stayed between three to six months left to meet up with family overseas and stayed overseas longer then the company allowed.  
"This resulted in these men being designated as resigned or having left their employment."