Australia: Linx Employment investigated following alleged labour rights abuse of Pacific Islander workers, incl. co. comments
Summary
Date Reported: 17 Jul 2023
Location: Australia
Companies
Linx Employment - Labour SupplierAffected
Total individuals affected: 190
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 190 - Pacific Islands , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Papua New Guinea , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Vanuatu , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported )Issues
Wage Theft , Restricted mobility , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Right to Food , Intimidation , Freedom of Expression , Failing to renew visas , Irregular WorkResponse
Response sought: Yes, by News outlet
Action taken: Linx did not respond to repeat requests for comment by ABC prior to publication. A subsequent statement was released in which the company director said the company had operated for 10 years without negative findings.
Source type: News outlet
“Linx Employment under investigation for alleged mistreatment of Pacific Islander workers”
A prominent Australian labour hire company is under investigation amid allegations Pacific Islanders hired to work on Queensland farms are being left without shifts, forcing them into homelessness and leaving them without money to return home…
It comes as Linx Employment staff, who came to Queensland's Bundaberg region on seasonal visas under the federal government's labour mobility scheme, allege they have been without employment and income for several months…
Workers also claim they have been threatened with visa terminations by the company.
Some workers who spoke with the ABC are living in tents or squalid conditions as they cannot afford to pay for the accommodation provided to them…
The AWU claims Linx Employment have threatened and bullied vulnerable workers…
Linx Employment did not respond to multiple requests from the ABC for comment before publication.
In a subsequent statement, company director Kim Layton said Linx Employment had operated for 10 years without negative findings.
"We proudly entered the Bundaberg market looking for space for our Pacific workers to find seasonal work when there was no work in Tasmania," she said.
She confirmed there were workers that had been without employment for several weeks…