"Temporary migrant workers in Australia facing 'disturbing' patterns of exploitation from some employers, UN official says", 27 November 2024

Temporary migrant workers in Australia are facing "disturbing" patterns of exploitation from some employers, labour hire companies and migration agents.

Many are victims of deceptive recruitment, underpayment or withholding of wages, excessive deductions, and dangerous working conditions.

They can face unreasonable work targets, unilateral termination of contracts, sexual and gender-based violence, and dismissal due to pregnancy.

And some employers "actively hire" disengaged and undocumented workers to take advantage of their vulnerability, resulting in further exploitation and abuse, including sexual and criminal exploitation.

Those are some of the findings from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, who has just concluded an official visit to Australia.

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Professor Obokata said he was "seriously concerned" by the treatment of temporary migrant workers in Australia.

He said he was particularly concerned about the welfare of workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, the Domestic Worker (diplomatic or consular) stream, and those on the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, Working Holiday Visa, and Student Visa.

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