We’re legit, says Aussie recruitment
company

MILLENNIUM Card has denied accusations that its recruitment drive for local skilled labour is bogus.
A statement from its Perth headquarters yesterday said: “Millennium Card is genuinely interested in recruiting skilled labour to address a critical shortage in Australia as a result of a general resource development boom …”
The company said applications collected by Gabriel Miriye of the Melanesian Chamber of Commerce (MCC) in Lae were to be dispatched to Perth next week for processing.
“All applicants short-listed by potential employers would be notified and interviewed starting in late November with the successful applicants to have their visas and travel arrangements processed.
“Millennium Card is excited … and anticipates this being a continuous thing,” the statement said.
However, Millennium Card’s enthusiasm had been dampened with publication of a query last week.
A letter sent to The National last Tuesday by a certain Philip S Pambai from Melbourne, Australia said, “his efforts to talk to Perth-based contact Linus Wafi were unanswered” and that “there was no voicemail system”.
He also raised concerns of bogus claims like the 2003-2004 seasonal fruit picker’s scam that left many people’s hopes dashed and urged them to confirm with authorities before committing any money.
The company’s intention was to recruit skilled workers that met the Australian 4-5-7 visa requirements but did not guarantee employment for all applicants.
However, upon reviewing job applications submitted, it was noticed that both skilled and non-skilled people had applied.
It said Australian visa requirements do reserve certain workers to come under special circumstances for a short period working visa.
“Therefore, it was still premature to write off the unskilled workers.”
On the issue of seasonal work, it said that was a political issue taken up by Port Moresby and Canberra which the company has no part to.