Fed: BHP moves to recruit temporary workers

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2007
Fed: BHP moves to recruit temporary workers

BHP has started talks with the federal government ..to recruit more than 200 overseas
workers for its two billion dollar Pilbara iron-ore expansion operation.

The move comes as the miner seeks to avert labour cost blow-outs that have recently
hit resources companies .. as part of the skills shortage.

Fairfax newspapers report BHP Billiton needs 25-hundred workers ahead of an expected
2010 start-up date.

The company is likely to target trades such as welders .. mechanical fitters and electricians
from overseas.







The plan reflects the growing popularity of the controversial section 457 visas in
the mining industry.

Last year the federal government granted almost 40 thousand temporary work visas ..

three thousand of which were in the mining sector.

AAP RTV krc/tm

KEYWORD: VISAS BHP (SYDNEY)

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