One rule for the Japanese pilots and another for the Expats
 

Part of the recruitment process at Jetstar is having to pass the Qantas Psychometric Test. This is a pretty tricky, time pressured reasoning test. One day in the office, I asked one of the managers if the Japanese pilots had to do this test. He answered, "Yes, Australia insists on it". I replied, how on earth do they pass the verbal reasoning section as for the most part, their English is pretty woeful. (It is a whole other thread as to how most of them manage to get Level 4 English) He said, that they only have to do the test, the result is completely ignored and the test is usually given AFTER they are recruited.

I witnessed first hand, the giving out of exam answer sheets to the Japanese pilots prior to sitting exams. I obtained a copy of the RVSM test answer sheet and reported the matter in writing to management. This was then passed on to the CP to investigate. Talk about Dracula in charge of the blood-bank. This obviously puts into question the validity of the Japanese pilots qualifications to fly, certainly in the ground studies area.

Japanese pilots are allowed to choose their own medical examiner whereas the ex-pats cannot. In my case, my Class 1 renewal was disallowed by the CP. He told me I couldn't fly until I redid my medical, not as a renewal but a whole new initial with the doctor of his choice. It had to be at this particular clinic, that was so highly efficient at finding medical problems. The CP then told me that JCAB (Japanese CASA) would not accept my present medical. This made no sense. I had the issued Class 1 in my hand. With an interpreter in tow, I traveled into Tokyo to visit the JCAB head of the medical department, to ask why they would not accept my medical. He was amazed when he heard what the CP had told me, and assured me that of course I had a fully valid Class 1 medical. On the basis of this information from JCAB I refused to attend his clinic as I had a pretty good idea as to how that would play out.

Japanese pilots can fail in the simulator and be given second and third chances to get through, whereas to my knowledge non Japanese pilot were rarely offered more training or a second chance in the sim after a failure. I have the simulator programs which verify this. It is easy to track Japanese pilot "X" and his multiple failed tests followed by more training and yet another test.

This is all Racial Discrimination, pure and simple. In the UK, if a foreign (ethnic minority we might call them) pilot was subject to this two tier treatment there would be outrage directed at the employer in question, questions in the house even. Probably very similar reaction in Australia as it rightfully prides itself on being a fair and multicultural society.

Australia traditionally does not even give foreigners a chance to apply in their country so why complain at the Japs?
They're only giving them a taste of their own medicine.

Why would they Johnny? There are plenty of GA pilots in Oz. Japan on the other hand doesn't have a bucket full of people to choose from when they open an airline.

Unobtabium. A 457 complaining.

halas

Utter and complete rubbish. Australia has immigration controls like any country. But, once legally in the country, it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, and I have never seen anyone unfairly treated in the Aviation industry on that basis.

You are talking c0ck.

You must be kidding me about not treating 457 via holders poorly. Oh, 711, Dominoes and a host of high level "celebrity" restaurants etc have been taken to court for DELIBERATELY under paying their 457 workers. RE 711, after the court action some of the franchisors took cash off their reimbursed workers. The FW Ombudsman has said that 457 workers in Australia have, on their estimates, been underpaid to the tune of 1 billion.

Just to be clear race and nationality are not the same thing.

I think you will find most the 711 "underpaid" workers were not on 457 visas, Many were on Student Visas these visas have "work restrictions" that can make it difficult to get employment. This condition is what 711 was exploiting and that extended to underpayment for work done.

Domino's main offence was/is Sham Contracting and there was no discrimination on this - visa or no visa. Coles and Woolies trolley collectors played this game.

"Celebrity" restaurants also underpaid everyone they could.

The Ombudsman has a greater concern for migrant workers than 457 workers only. Recent checks by Fairwork on large numbers of companies in a number of states I have seen show under payment of wages is common. It was like 50-60% some amounts were small but some very large and considering the number of employed persons to 457 visa holders it is safe to state many workers are treated poorly in Australia citizens included. At my aviation work place, we have a number of workers on various visas and they are all treated just as poorly as me - an Australian citizen.

I often rent out a room to Work Holiday Visa holders. One Swedish lady "worked" on a dive boat in exchange for some form of dive training (I do not recall its title). This was for around 3 months and she was on the boat most of the time 5-6 days and nights a week, this was for no pay. I expected she was getting ripped off but she insisted that was the deal and she was more than happy. She was a lawyer but just loved diving the reef every day. The other 3 lady's all different places of employment, have all said "at least we get paid properly here". Previously they were all working in Sydney.

Anybody been to Japan? It's mono culture. It's like being in another planet. Being culturally polite does not mean they like foreigners. Not surprised at all with what happened at Jetstar.

Got the clarity- not sure of the relevance??