possible sponser oppurtunity

[calNgary]

Just read this on the courier mail Queensland,

FAST-food outlets in Queensland faced with labour shortages are turning to the controversial Section 457 visas to recruit overseas workers.
Both KFC and McDonald's have used the visas to combat a shortage of workers caused by the state's resources boom.

McDonald's Queensland regional manager Andrew Gregory said it was not by choice the food chain had recruited overseas to provide staff for outlets in Mackay and Mount Isa.

"Our individual franchisees have made a decision to keep their businesses running and to provide a service," Mr Gregory said.

"We'd prefer not to have to do it, but it's definitely the right decision from the individual franchisees' point-of-view."

However, the imported workers will not replace the McDonald's tradition of employing young locals.

The 457 visas were only used to recruit management staff, Mr Gregory said.

"Through the local franchisee we will guarantee any young Australian kid an opportunity at the restaurants," he said.

"It's not that we're preferring anyone else - we're just doing it on a needs basis. We'd love some young Australians, or old ones."

Mr Gregory said other industries in Queensland's mining and resource areas faced similar labour problems.

Mackay's KFC outlet has also reportedly closed its doors several times in recent weeks due to a lack of staff.

The Collins Food Group, which oversees KFC franchises, said it faced chronic skills shortages in regional Queensland and 457 visas were a short-term solution.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said that with the lowest unemployment rate in decades, the restaurants were not the only Queensland businesses finding it hard to get labour.

"There are some places where it's harder than others," Ms Bligh said in Brisbane.

"Mackay is one of those towns that's going through rapid growth and we are seeing towns like Mackay where they're in competition with mining projects finding it hard sometimes to fill jobs.