ACTU says thousands of North-West, Northern workers at risk

"We have a pay rise and secure jobs shortage, not a labour shortage in our country," Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus said.

"We still have a record number of people wanting more hours and better job security, but rather than addressing this, Scott Morrison has delivered them access to the rorted work visa system, which has been rife with exploitation.

"Too many employers have built business models on exploiting visa workers and they do not want to raise wages or offer permanent jobs.

"The Morrison Government has delivered them what they want and all workers will miss out as a result."

The ACTU estimated about 4800 people worked in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the federal electrorates of Bass and Braddon, based on figures from the 2016 census.

Braddon Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce defended businesses in the electorate.

"The use of words like exploitation and rorting by the ACTU is unacceptable when speaking about our region's businesses," Mr Pearce said

"It's not the reality and I will go in to bat for them every day of the week.

"I will never talk down our region's job creating business sector.

"Agriculture, mining, tourism and the tens of thousands of other small businesses, they do the heavy lifting when it comes to creating jobs in our region and they continue to do so in what is currently a very challenging employment environment."

The ACTU said underemployment in Australia was appallingly high, with more than three million underutilised workers.

"In regional parts of the country, unemployment is even higher, particularly youth unemployment, which can regularly be as high as 10 per cent," it said.

"Where employers are struggling to find workers, it is because Australians are sick and tired of working casual, insecure jobs that are underpaid and often don't provide enough hours or shifts for workers to support themselves, let alone their families.

"The Morrison Government could require employers to create more secure jobs for local workers, but, instead they are returning to business as usual, exploitation of migrant workers and local workers struggling to find hours."

Mr Pearce said the federal Education, Skills and Employment Department would next week host a Jobs Fair in Burnie, the second in the region this year.

"If you are looking for a job, come along and have a chat with employers from a wide range of industries about opportunities here on the Coast," he said.

"You can also talk to job providers and UTAS about how you can get the skills you need to get into the job you want, get your resume updated and so much more."