Australia’s seasonal worker schemes are being likened to modern slavery, with a group of Pacific workers in Queensland’s Bundaberg region speaking out against their pay and living conditions.
Key points:
- Seasonal workers in Bundaberg are raising concerns over pay and living conditions
- Treatment of Pacific workers in Australia likened to slavery under the seasonal worker scheme
- Workers call for reforms to the scheme, including additional support on farms
The 18 workers, who are employed by several labour hire firms, met with a lawyer in Bundaberg to discuss their grievances.
“We’ve been involved in other cases of exploited workers, but I’ve seen nothing quite as bad as what’s happening at the moment,” said lawyer Stuart Levitt.
“It’s so widespread. It’s so heartless.”
Willie* came to Australia under the Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) in January last year to make money and support his five children in Vanuatu.
He said hundreds of dollars were deducted from his pay each week for expenses, including accommodation and transport to work on farms.
Lawyer Stuart Levitt said Pacific workers were being exploited across Australia.(ABC Wide Bay: Johanna Marie)
“Sometimes, you only end up with $200. How can you survive with that,” he said.
“When I send the money home, I haven’t got none.”
Despite a national labour shortage in the horticulture industry, some workers said they were only working half a day, and their income was not covering their expenses.
Treated like ‘slaves’
Mr Levitt said he had received a report of one Bundaberg employer issuing fines of $500 for drinking alcohol outside of work hours.
“They’re threatened with fines if they consume alcohol. They’re banned from having any sexual relationships with people,” he said.
The workers raised concerns about their pay and living conditions at backpacker hostels.<cite class="_3…….
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-01/pacific-worker-slaves-bundaberg/100793780