If they can get away with doing it to cabin crew, they will do it to pilots and engineers. That much is clear.
It appears that large chunks of Australina business are following a "No Australian Need Apply" hiring policy.
The staffing model seems to be:
1. Operate through agencies so as to maintain "plausible deniability" in regard to their oppressive contract conditions. Actual wages and benefits (leave, superannuation, maternity, age discrimination, dismissal, etc.) are a matter for the agencies, not the airline.
2. Hire foreign staff, preferably from at least Three different countries, so as to ensure that they cannot organise due to national distrust. Mixing Chinese and Vietnamese would be a good start since they have historical and current antipathies. Add some Malaysians and Indonesians to taste.
3. Ensure that contract dates are not synchronised, thus ensuring a constant coming and going of staff so that relationship development, and hence the possibility of organisation, is further reduced.
4. Ensure that all staff know, or at least suspect, that contract renewal will not happen if there is any criticism of management, work practices, or working conditions.
This is the desired business model for the mining industry and now of course Qantas.
Jetstar is being taken to court for allegedly underpaying cabin crew that were recruited in Thailand.
The eight crew members are allegedly being paid less than half of what they are entitled to when they work on domestic routes in Australia.
The Fair Work Ombudsman began taking action in the Federal Court on Friday for the workers, but says it may take action for up to 300 international cabin crew rostered on Jetstar's domestic routes.
Two Asian companies which recruit staff for Jetstar - Valuair and Tour East - are facing court over the matter.
Both companies are part owned by Qantas.
The ombudsman is seeking to have the eight staff reimbursed at least $7,500 they are owed in back pay.
It is also seeking penalties against Jetstar.................more at the link
Jetstar accused of underpaying cabin crew - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)