Employment Local Government News

Federal gov takes action to prevent worker exploitation

Eliza Sayon Jun 6, 2023

2 min read

In a bid to safeguard workers, the federal government has unveiled a comprehensive package of worker exploitation measures aimed at targeting employers who take advantage of temporary visa holders.

“Exploiting workers is never acceptable,” Minister for Workplace Relations and Employment Tony Burke said.

“We’re committed to stamping it out wherever it’s happening and protecting all workers working in Australia – regardless of their migration status.”

These measures aim to empower workers to speak up without fear of reprisal, as statistics revealed that one in six recent migrants to Australia is paid less than the minimum wage. Not only does this bring harm to individual workers but also drives down wages and exacerbates conditions for all Australian workers.

The current federal government is determined to rectify the situation left behind by the previous government, which neglected to implement crucial recommendations outlined in the Migrant Workers Taskforce Report.

“Over the last ten years, our migration system has drifted deeper and deeper into reliance on low-paid temporary migrant workers who we know are routinely exploited, under a government that simultaneously did nothing to prevent this exploitation,” Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said.

“This indifference stops with our Government. We are in consultation on systemic changes to our migration system which will ensure it works in the interests of Australian workers and businesses, and we are also doing the work necessary to ensure that no one who comes to this country is exploited or abused.”

Check out: PwC removes employees implicated in gov tax leak scandal

After eight months of extensive consultation, the government has announced a multifaceted approach that includes legislative reforms, enhanced enforcement tools, increased funding, and a fresh perspective to assist those working in exploitative environments to raise their voices.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles will introduce legislation into Parliament that will hold employers accountable for their actions.

The proposed measures include making it a criminal offence to coerce individuals into violating their visa conditions, introducing prohibition notices to prevent employers from further hiring individuals who have been exploited under temporary visas, implementing stricter penalties and compliance tools to deter exploitation and repealing section 235 of the Migration Act.

“When migrant workers are being underpaid – it hurts all of us, driving wages and conditions down for everyone. For a decade, the former Liberal government put the safety of migrant workers on the back burner,” Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles said.

“These reforms will help workers speak up and target those employers who do the wrong thing.”

The government has allocated $50 million in funding to bolster the resources of the Australian Border Force, enabling them to undertake comprehensive enforcement and compliance activities.

Efforts will also be made to strengthen the separation between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs, establishing a robust firewall to enhance oversight and accountability against worker exploitation.

Eliza Sayon

Website | + posts

Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.