Temporary skilled migrants would be paid market rates for labour under proposals contained in a new report that calls for an overhaul of the controversial 457 visa scheme.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans will issue the report by Industrial Relations Commissioner Barbara Deegan today.
The subclass 457 visas have become increasingly popular because of the skills shortage, but are also increasingly controversial.
Ms Deegan's review was prompted by concerns about ''numerous examples of exploitation'' including people not being paid overtime, being forced to work extra hours, being sacked for getting pregnant or looking after sick family members, and being overcharged for rent by employers.
''Stakeholders have given examples of subclass 457 visa holders who, after asking about such matters as salary deductions, under-payment of wages or union membership have been dismissed by their sponsor and put on the next plane 'home' as an example to the rest of the workforce to encourage compliance.
''It has been suggested that such behaviour is particularly prevalent where subclass 457 visa holders make up a large percentage of the workforce at a workplace,'' she said.
Four Canberra restaurants Pangaea in Manuka, Zeffirelli in Belconnen, and the Holy Grail in Civic and Kingston have been fined up to $64,000 recently in part for under-paying Filipino workers employed under the visa scheme.
Minimum salary levels were included in the scheme to encourage employers to hire Australians, but they were described as ''complex and inconsistent''. Ms Deegan said they should be abolished, and 457 visa holders on less than $100,000 should get market rates of pay.
Ms Deegan, among her 68 recommendations, also wants the subclass 457 visa renamed the Temporary Employment Visa, to emphasise its temporary nature, and limit them to a total of eight years per person.
Senator Evans will refer the report to the Skilled Migration Consultative Panel, made up of business, state governments and unions. However, he indicated it could be some time before changes were implemented.
''We are closely assessing the report and decisions to implement individual recommendations will be taken as part of the budget process,'' he said.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union secretary John Sutton said the report showed there had been ''widespread exploitation'' of 457 visa workers, particularly at the lower skill levels.