The Australian government has introduced a seasonal guest worker scheme that aims to attract unskilled workers from the pacific islands. This has been initiated in order to fill agricultural labour shortages.

But as thousands of workers are expected to come to Australia on this temporary visa scheme, 14% of indigenous Australians remain unemployed. The recruitment of overseas workers is however still essential due to the high paying Australian welfare system.

For all Australians being on welfare will in fact pay more than entry level unskilled jobs on farms and the like. Therefore getting a job is a step down in financial terms for these unemployed. It is understandable why the unemployed would not choose to work laborious jobs when they could earn more by doing nothing.

This new visa does not pose a threat on the Australian workforce as if Australians want the job it is theirs by law, but the problem comes in when one clearly sees that the unemployed indigenous population knowingly turn down such employment opportunities.

The next task for the government is to target these unemployed citizens and somehow make taking up these jobs attractive, no matter how menial. Not only will this improve population morale but also help the economy by contributing to the continued success of the country.