Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs are targeting exploitation and abuse of migrant workers in the hospitality industry with the launch of a national operation.
The six-month operation comes in the wake of tougher rules introduced last year to deter employer exploitation of migrants.
Home Affairs’ Sponsor Monitoring Unit (SMU) has scheduled over 100 workplaces for inspection. In collaboration with partners like the Fair Work Ombudsman, the unit has already inspected over 50 hospitality workplaces and discovered suspected instances of migrant worker exploitation among more than 30 employers.
The suspected offences range from underpayment, unlawful deductions, and excess hours.
SMU National Superintendent Jason Boyd said a special focus of the operation is to ensure employers are not charging back the cost of sponsorship to migrant workers.
“Migrant workers have the same work conditions, rights and protections as Australian citizens. Yet we know some employers are tempted to illegally demand money from, or under pay migrant workers in violation of sponsorship obligations,” said Boyd.
“We are sending an abundantly clear message to employers that Australia will not tolerate exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers or the visa system.”
Visa holders and foreign workers in Australia hold the same workplace entitlements and protections as other employees, regardless of their migration status. Anyone can anonymously report information relating to potential employer immigration offences online at Border Watch.
Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance about their rights and obligations in the workplace. A free interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Information can also be provided to the FWO anonymously, including in 16 languages other than English. Workers on visas can also access free resources from FWO.
Laura Box
