"Modern slavery report uncovers dark side to PALM visa scheme leaving vulnerable workers homeless and destitute", 23 September 2024

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Ezekiel symbolises the failure of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility(PALM) visa scheme to provide a safety net for workers who feel they have no choice but to leave their employer.

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The Office of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner also helps workers, including Ezekiel, and this week tabled the Be Our Guests report in NSW parliament this week, after a two-year investigation.

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"Temporary migrant workers, particularly low-wage workers in agriculture, horticulture and meat processing in rural NSW, face risks of debt bondage, deceptive recruiting, forced labour and, in extreme cases, servitude, sexual servitude or even human trafficking," Cockayne said in his report.

Cockayne said while temporary migration was largely well managed, a minority of temporary migrant workers were at risk of modern slavery.

He said reports and other evidence suggest that hundreds – perhaps thousands – of temporary migrant workers, notably disengaged PALM workers, may currently lack access to appropriate accommodation, healthcare and other essential services. This leaves many destitute and at high risk of exploitation. PALM workers, backpackers, international students, skilled temporary workers, graduates, those on regionally sponsored visas, are all at risk.