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A beekeeper, not enough skills to earn visa
October 5, 2009 – Since having an apiarist work is not recognizable internationally, some workers that have been developed this skill are required to leave the country of Australia. . Jing Bang (Jim) Zou and his wife, Litang Fan, pioneered the production of propolis, a bee-created resin they say is a natural antibiotic and immune system booster. It is used in cosmetics, creams and ointments.
The family of Mr. Zou are staying on their farm at Young, in south-west NSW, where they tend the bees, and have a retail outlet in Liverpool Road, Ashfield. Yet the Federal Government’s Migration Review Tribunal has refused Mr Zou a distinguished talent visa as a specialist apiarist, which would have enabled him to stay permanently. It is also expired his original temporary 457 visa for skilled workers.
The main reason why the tribunal declined the approval of his visa, is that they said the Mr. Zou had not demonstrated he had an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession”. They also added that they wouldn’t think that Mr. Zou would be an asset to their community.
According to the Department of Immigration spokesman said that in some cases there were grounds for the Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, to intervene. Mr Zou’s case had been assessed as one where there could be grounds.
The distinguished talent visa was a tough one to get, he said. It was for people internationally recognised for outstanding achievement in a profession, in the arts, in sport or in research.
Mr Zou’s products are also sold in China. That export business is worth about $250,000 a year.
Source:
smh.com.au
