Wage Theft in Silence: Why Migrant Workers Do Not Recover Their Unpaid Wages in Australia

Abstract

for her expert and insightful statistical analysis of the data contained in this report, and her contribution to the graphic representation of the data. Angela Kintominas, Research Associate at the Migrant Worker Justice Initiative, provided excellent editorial assistance on the report. Yumeng Yue and Andreea Constantin provided valuable research assistance in the set up of the survey and the editing and re-coding of data. Lisa Jeffery assisted with compilation of initial contacts for survey distribution. The authors deeply appreciate the time and effort contributed by the many individuals who voluntarily assisted with survey design and distribution, including: • Isabel Salinaz Alcaraz, who passionately worked with the authors to develop and implement the survey distribution strategy, including recruitment and oversight of the Outreach Committee; • The Outreach Committee and other volunteers who assisted with distribution of the survey within their community and language groups and with reviewing survey translations including:

As if We Weren't Humans: The Abandonment of Temporary Migrants in Australia during COVID-19

“…10 This was particularly the case for visa holders with precarious immigration status who are more vulnerable to exploitative practices, but unlikely to report any mistreatment in their workplace. 11 Many also lived in insecure housing situations characterised by overcrowding, exploitative treatment and overcharging by unscrupulous head-tenants and landlords. 12 In the first days of the COVID-19 lockdown in March, many visa holders working in heavily casualised industries, such as hospitality and retail, lost their jobs, with devastating financial impact.…”

Temporary Refugee and Migration Visas in Australia: An Occupational Health and Safety Hazard

“…33,80 Existing inspectorates, such as the Fair Work Ombudsman in Australia, need to be better resourced and empowered to deal with the issues. 4,60 Likewise, temporary visa holders need to be able to make anonymous complaints and, in Australia, made aware that complaints can be made through mechanisms such as the Fair Work Ombudsman. Education for workers and employers in relation to workers' rights, occupational health and safety, and how to identify exploitation and discrimination is also crucial.…”

“…Despite the existence of these rights, temporary workers rarely access them for the reasons discussed above. 4,60…”

“…Exploitation and discrimination in the workplace can have direct and indirect impacts on the health of migrant workers. Although there is evidence of the exploitation of migrant workers internationally 1,2 and in Australia, 3,4 less is known about the health impacts of this exploitation, particularly the experiences of workers on more recent temporary refugee visas such as those introduced in Australia in 2014. In this study of temporary visa holders living in South Australia, we examine experiences of exploitation and discrimination and the reported impacts of these experiences on health.…”

Employer and employer association matters in Australia in 2019

“…Wage underpayment affects very diverse sectors of the economy but appears most concentrated upon the most vulnerable workforce groups. Extensive scholarly research has highlighted particular labour market vulnerabilities of migrant workers, especially temporary ones and those residing here on tourist and student visas, particularly where these work in agriculture (Boucher, 2019; Clibborn and Wright, 2018; Farenblum and Berg, 2019; Rosewarne, 2019).…”