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TEMPORARY work visas are having a devastating effect on local workers and are creating a cheap imported workforce, Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters believes.
Dozens of workers and their relatives contacted the Labor member to contribute to her submission to the Senate Inquiry into the impact of temporary work visa programs.
Ms Chesters highlighted the Bendigo electorate's three major meat processors - Don KR Castlemaine, Hazeldene's and Hardwick's of Kyneton - as each using the visa schemes to fill shifts.
She said as youth unemployment in the region reaching 18.2 per cent, it was "not acceptable" for companies to be looking to labour hire companies to fill the void.
"I hear almost daily from locals - young and old - who have either had their shifts cut or have been unable to get work at all," Ms Chesters said.
"It's no coincidence that at the same time our job market is being flooded with unskilled workers from overseas who are willing to work for below the award rates."
The Senate passed a motion put forward by Labor and the Greens in March to hold the inquiry, which will hear feedback from workers on the visa schemes and local workers.
One Don KR Castlemaine employee in her 60s said she had been forced to visit an employment agency for the first time, after going from 20 hours per week to zero.
"I think it's disgusting," she said.
"In the end it's a lot to do with the Australian government allowing companies to use visas like this. I've pretty much lost my job through no fault of my own.
"I guess it's all just to save money."
On her last shift, the woman said there were almost 10 Taiwanese workers to one local worker.
"I went from 20 hours every weekend, to maybe one shift a fortnight, to once every three weeks, and now nothing," she said.
At Don KR Castlemaine, workers on the 417 visa - predominantly from Taiwan - usually work in "pods" of eight where one of the group has competent English skills.
Don KR Castlemaine managing director Stuart Grainger said the company supports the Senate Inquiry.
"An inquiry is a positive step towards ensuring companies, including the many in the food and manufacturing industries, are compliant and adhering to the necessary standards," he said.