Greek youth look to Oz for work opportunities

Negotiations will begin between the Australian and Greek government for reciprocal work and holiday visas between the two countries. If approved, the visas will enable Greeks and Australians aged between 18 to 30, to freely travel between the two countries for work and study opportunities for up to 12 months.
The announcement was made by the immigration minister Chris Bowen at the first ever meeting of the Greek Ministerial Consultative Committee at Parliament House on Tuesday.
Members of the Greek community have been pushing for a work and holiday visa arrangement between the two countries which will in turn allow the youth of Greece more working opportunities.
As it stands, more than half of Greece’s youth are unemployed following the financial and political turmoil in the country. They are seeking opportunities in Australia for short term work but to also further their skills and receive opportunities that are currently lacking in Greece. It will also give them an insight into how another country works culturally, socially and economically allowing them to exchange the knowledge gained by working in Australia in Greece.
“It’s great welcome news,” announced Labor MP Steve Georganas who was at the meeting.
“It’s a further step in cementing that strong relationship with Australia and Greece.”
Mr Georganas added that the working and holiday program is a cultural exchange program for the young adults that is aimed at strengthening people to people links and bilateral links between the two countries but stresses that, if approved, the visas are not “permanent visas or a gateway to permanent employment”.
The Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, led by President Bill Papastergiadis, was one of the initiators for the Federal government to begin dialogue with Greece when they presented the immigration minister a submission of initiatives back in April 2011. Mr Papastergiadis said since then he has been in constant contact with the minister’s office on behalf of the Greek community to see that the negotiations for work and holiday visas between both countries gets underway so Tuesday’s announcement for him was a momentous occasion; one that he says shows if you work in a unified manner as a community, great things can be achieved.
“It’s a huge win for the Greek community of Melbourne in the sense that it reveals that if you work in concert with other organisations and we do it collectively and in a unified manner we can achieve good results and this reflects well on the maturity of our organisation and how it’s regarded and respected by the federal government,” he said.
Mr Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos that the initial proposal was made after the community was inundated with requests by Greek citizens on the migration process who felt overwhelmed with the visa requirements of temporary and permanent visas to Australia. He said news that negotiations between both governments was underway for reciprocal work and holiday visas was a big win for Australians, Greek Australians and Greeks.
“We are happy firstly for Australians as it gives them the opportunity to work in Greece on Greek islands which I know a lot of Australians would have wanted to have done in the past on their summer breaks as it’s a reciprocal agreement,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
Mr Georganas added that this is great news for young Greeks who have relatives and friends in Australia “that make their stay even easier and more accessible but at the same time be able to work and study” and that the youth might be able to take “good ideas with them back to Greece”.
“Anything that encourages young people to visit and work and experience another life and another culture I think should be embraced so its a huge win in that regards, and it gives the young people [both from Greece and Australia] the opportunity the be able to travel and sustain themselves,” Mr Papastergiadis said adding that this shows a long-term commitment between both the countries.
On Tuesday, the immigration minister said Australia and Greece shared a strong and rich relationship based on firm community ties.
“A work and holiday arrangement recognises the strength of these connections and will further enhance our cultural links between the two countries,” Mr Bowen said.
“Negotiating a work and holiday arrangement, which must be reciprocal and agreeable to both governments, can take time to finalise and implement,” Mr Bowen said.
“While we recognise the level of enthusiasm by both Greeks and Australians around a successful outcome, we must ensure all key stakeholders are consulted and the necessary administrative arrangements are in place.
“This is a significant step, and I would like to thank the Members of Parliament, community leaders and Greek Orthodox community organisations across the country, who have spoken to me about such an arrangement.”