50 Indians found working illegally in Australia

18/07/2008 0 Comments read Diaspora, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 18.07.2008 (IANS): Fifty Indian workers have been found by Immigration officials to be working illegally in Australia since last July even as Immigration Minister Chris Evans Friday warned severe penalties would be imposed on people who hired workers without proper working visas.

“Rogue employers face fines of up to A$13,200 (US$12,834) and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to A$66,000 per illegal worker,” the immigration minister said.

The highest number of illegal workers was from Malaysia, 374, followed by China (145), Indonesia (89), Britain (67), Philippines (51), India (50), Vietnam (48), Thailand (44) South Korea (32) and Ireland (21).

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Was Haneef a victim of conspiracy for political gains?

18/06/2008 0 Comments read Diaspora, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 18.06.2008 (IANS): Was Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef a victim of conspiracy for political gains? Documents obtained by Haneef’s legal team under Freedom of Information laws indicate that the then prime minister’s office became involved in the case within 48 hours of Haneef’s arrest in connection with the botched British bombings July 2, 2007.

Documents reveal officers from the then prime minister John Howard’s office and cabinet met with counterparts from the immigration and foreign affairs departments to discuss options for handling Haneef’s case July 4.

The former Gold Coast registrar was arrested at Brisbane airport on the night of July 2, just before boarding a flight to India.

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India, Australia discuss safety of Indian taxi drivers

30/05/2008 0 Comments read Diaspora

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 30.05.2008 (IANS): Indian and South Australian state authorities met in Adelaide Thursday and agreed to put in place a framework for continued dialogue on issues pertaining to safety and security of taxi drivers in the state following recent attacks on Indian cabbies.

Sujan Chinoy, the Indian consul general in Sydney, held meetings with Hieu Van Le, the lieutenant governor of South Australia and chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, and representatives from the Transport and Police Departments, Taxi Council of South Australia, taxi companies, Indian taxi drivers and the Indian community.

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