Inquiry set to motion as Australian migrant workers face poor condition and low wages on the farms

Australia – In the shocking revelation on conditions of migrant workers in Australia, it was revealed that the farm workers are underpaid and made to live in horrifying conditions where they can’t even stand up. The Senate’s job security committee heard more shocking evidence of worker exploitation on Australian farms during a hearing yesterday.

Wang, who is the one of the workers on the farm, said during the hearing that two years back when he started to work at Coffs Harbour greenhouse in March 2020, the workers were not allowed by the boss to talk to outsiders about the pay and conditions at the farm.

Despite the job being advertised with a $17 hourly rate, he earned well below that working from 6am until it was dark. The workers used to work tirelessly and yet earned in pennies.

Related Posts

Elsa Underhill, who is a researcher at Deakin University found repeated examples of high levels of exploitation of backpackers from Asia and Europe between 2013 and 2018. It was heart breaking to see that even several migrant workers were paid as little as $3 an hour.

Dr Underhill further clarified that if farmers were willing to pay higher wages, they could risk profits because of supermarket price inflexibility. She added that although supermarket workers’ union SDA and Transport Workers’ Union are in a partnership with supermarkets to try to stamp out problems in the supply chain. Still the main issue of getting uniform rise in payment remains stagnant.

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the Australian Worker’s Union (AWU) should focus more on cost pressures farmers faced to make a profit. It also found temporary migrant workers faced being abused or sacked if they complained about pay or conditions.

Ayswarya Murthy

Ayswarya Murthy is a political journalist. She came to writing through an interest in politics.

Recent Posts

India, ILO Discuss Fair Wages, Gig Workers’ Welfare in Geneva

India joined talks at International Labour Organisation offices in Geneva to explore worker rights such as proper compensation and basic…

March 15, 2025

Court Rules Against Trump-Era Firings: Tens of Thousands of Workers to Be Reinstated

In a significant legal blow against the Trump administration, federal court judges in California and Maryland have commended the reinstatement…

March 15, 2025

Tesla Faces Labor Allegations from German Union Over Sick Pay

The IG Metall union claims Tesla operates its Berlin factory illegally by punishing employees who rest due to health conditions.…

March 15, 2025

UK Defence Boost to Create Scottish Jobs, Says Reeves

During the Babcock Fife visit, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised UK export finance program funds by £2 billion. The new funding…

March 14, 2025

Tamil Nadu Govt Announces ₹20,000 for Every Gig Workers to Purchase E-Scooters

In a major decision, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented a new scheme in the state’s 2025-26 budget through…

March 14, 2025

Tesla Expands Autonomous Testing Fleet in California

Tesla started operating 224 driver trainers with 104 vehicles under its autonomous driving test permit in December in California. In…

March 14, 2025

This website uses cookies.

Read More