Eight workers from the Philippines, holders of 457 visas have been stranded in Narrabri.
They had been employed by an overseas labour contracting company to work in Narabri, the union representing them, the Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says.
However, the arrangement came to an abrupt end and the Philippines workers found themselves stranded.
The CFMEU arranged for the workers to stay at Narrabri’s Kaputar Motel where they have been welcomed with real country hospitality.
The group was pleased to move to the Kaputar Motel, as the accommodation and care offered reassuring certainty at an uncertain and worrying time for them.
The Narrabri Philippines community has rallied to provide support for the eight. The Kaputar Motel is operated by Phil and Gracey Lockyer.
“We have made them very welcome” said Gracey, originally from the Philippines.
“We don’t have a restaurant, but I have been cooking three meals a day for our eight guests, plus two Philippine workers from Orange, while they are staying here.
“They are very cheerful and have been busy around the motel, they have cleaned up the yard and are offering to help out. We love having them here,” added Gracey. The guests will be enjoying the hospitality of Gracey and the Kaputar Motel until Wednesday next week at least while the next moves in their situation are sorted out. CFMEU state representative, Mr David Curtain, said the union was looking into the issue at Narrabri and other locations in NSW.