Not Just Numbers: A Blueprint of Visa Protections for Temporary Migrant Workers
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Agriculture & livestock ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Samoa , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported )Issues
Occupational Health & Safety , Excessive production targets , Failing to renew visas , Injuries , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Freedom of ExpressionResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Wage Theft , Access to Non-Judicial RemedyResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: There were no options for the worker to remain in Australia and claim against her employers.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Asia & Pacific - Sector unknown , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Wage Theft , Failing to renew visas , Access to Non-Judicial RemedyResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported. The worker was forced to return home without being able to take action against his employer.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Entertainment ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Location unknown , Entertainment , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Sexual harassment , Intimidation , Mandatory overtime , Failing to renew visas , Denial of leaveResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Restaurants & bars ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Location unknown , Restaurants & bars , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Intimidation , Failing to renew visas , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported. There were no options for the worker to remain in Australia and claim against her employers.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Restaurants & bars ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - China , Restaurants & bars , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Wage Theft , Dismissal , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Failing to renew visasResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Agriculture & livestock ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Agriculture & livestock , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Freedom of Expression , Intimidation , Rape & sexual abuse , Failing to renew visasResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: She was unable to pursue action against the employer as she had not completed the work needed to renew her visa.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Engineering ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Engineering , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Intimidation , Recruitment FeesResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Women , Undocumented migrants )Issues
Retention of identity documents , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Freedom of Expression , Restricted mobilityResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Aug 2023
Location: Australia
Other
Not Reported ( Hotel ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Location unknown , Hotel , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Failing to renew visas , Freedom of Expression , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Wage Theft , IntimidationResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
...This report is about temporary migrants, their lives and experiences at work. By and on behalf of workers, it makes the case that temporary visa status is directly linked to inequality and exploitation. And it makes the case for immediate, strong and reliable visa protection for all migrant workers, as the necessary first step towards combatting the exploitation of temporary migrants at work.
For too long, immigration laws and policies have been made by bureaucrats and economists, concerned only the Australian economy and ‘nation-building,’ and not with people.
But temporary migrants are not just numbers on the national balance of payments. The stories featured here are of people in the Australian community; friends, neighbours, co-workers, partners and parents. These stories have been put together by workers to explain what has happened to them because of the way Australian migration laws and regulations currently operate. They also point the way to what Australian migration laws and policies should be.
The migration system needs to be remade from the ground up, with the rights of migrants placed at the centre. That is not a task that can be achieved by ‘further tinkering and incrementalism’ 10 – it will require an overhaul of bonded employment arrangements and the proliferation of temporary visa categories with no connection to permanent residency...