Chinese workers at Warrnambool's Midfield Meats strike

Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman is expected to release a statement this afternoon about Midfield Group and the visas of its Chinese employees.

At 2pm: Chinese translator Daisy Ye has agreed that visas and permanent residency were key issues for the Chinese workers at Warrnambool's Midfield meats, along with unfair treatment.

About 100 workers went on strike today.

Ms Ye said many indications had been given and promises made about permanent residency for the employees on 457 visas.

She said workers had also been given the option of being involved in a Designated Area Migration Agreement, but that did not take into account the amount of time workers had already spent in Australia.

She said the Chinese employees could spend another three years on a DAMA, but there were still no guarantees of permanent residency.

"What is the solution, what are the options for these workers?" she asked.

"How can these workers stay in Australia. Some of their kids don't even speak Chinese. They came here when they were very young and go to school here," she said.

At noon:

The Midfield Group is seeking urgent Federal Government intervention to help resolve visa issues for their Chinese workers.

On Wednesday morning about 100 Chinese workers decided to strike for 24 hours.

The Warrnambool meatworks has about 150 Chinese employees.

Of those 49 are in their fifth year and 29 will reach the end of their contracts in January.

In October last year Midfield officials sought Federal Government assistance to try and get permanent residency approval for workers who had completed their contracts.

In June this year some of those workers were placed on COVID visas so they could stay in the country.

But, through those visas there is no opportunity to gain permanent residency.

There have been meetings held with Minister for Populations, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge but there has been no resolution to the current stand-off.

Midfield Group's Dean McKenna on Wednesday morning called for Federal Government intervention to resolve the situation.

"These people have been great workers, they are desperate to not go back to China," he said.

"They are working here, many of their wives are also employed at Midfields and their kids are going to school here.

"They want to remain here, become Australians and we can see they are in a terrible position."

Mr McKenna said it was up to the Federal Government to provide a pathway to permanent residency.

"This situation is unfortunately completely out of our control," he said.

"It can only be resolved through Federal Government intervention and we're urgently requesting that happen," he said.

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan is today in cabinet meetings with Mr Tudge.

Mr Tehan is understood to be aware of the situation and has been contacted for comment.

The visa issue has come to a head as trade tensions between Australia and China are on a knife edge as China has banned or put tariffs on Australian goods including coal, beef, barley, wine and timber.

Earlier: About 100 Chinese workers at Warrnambool's Midfield Meat International abattoir have gone on strike, claiming a worker was assaulted, as tensions rise over visa issues.

Warrnambool-based translator Daisy Ye claimed one worker was assaulted leading to today's 24-hour strike.

She alleged the worker was punched three times to the face.

Warrnambool police Sergeant Blake Amos confirmed this morning there was a report made to police on Tuesday at 10.30am about a physical altercation between workers.

He said both parties involved had been spoken to and further investigations were being undertaken.

No one was injured.

It is believed it is unlikely charges will be laid.

Ms Ye said it was not the first time there had been an allegation of mistreatment relating to Chinese workers.

She said the workers would meet at Warrnambool Botanic Gardens today to discuss concerns, including the injured worker.

Ms Ye, who has been in Australia for about two years, said she had talked to several representatives of the Chinese workers.

"I teach some of them English. They are going to start with the strike today and see how that goes," she said.

"There are raised tensions at present due to the Chinese and Australia trade situation."

Ms Ye said many of the 100 workers had been in Australia on 457 visas and they had hoped Midfield was going to sponsor them for permanent residency.

"But now, many of those visas will expire by January 20," she said.

"The Chinese workers have worked very hard, they have done everything possible to get along with management, but now feel they have no option but to let people know what has been going on."

Midfield is expected to make a statement this morning.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.