More than 140 “unscrupulous” employers have been named and shamed by the federal government after allegedly exploiting migrant employees.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) revealed the surprising determine on Monday following its month-long compliance blitz throughout the nation.
Throughout July, the ABF focused companies sponsoring migrant employees who contravened office rights, together with pay and security.
ABF Acting Commander Vaughan Baxter stated employers discovered to have breached their sponsorship obligations confronted massive fines.
Offending companies could possibly be barred from using additional migrant employees and could possibly be referred to Fair Work or the ATO.
“The practice of underpaying or exploiting migrant workers has no place in Australia,” Commander Baxter stated.
“Employers who’re making the most of their migrant employees ought to know that it’s going to price you.
“The underpayment and exploitation of migrant employees is a longstanding drawback.
“It can considerably influence employees in addition to injury Australia‘s international reputation.”
The highest number of business facing sanctions by the ABF were located in Queensland, with 49 businesses allegedly sprung by officers.
Western Australia followed with a whopping 40 businesses, while the most-populous states of NSW and VIC both had about 20.
South Australia came in last with 16, while the Northern Territory and ACT were not included in the rankings.
The business ranged from the hospitality and cleansing industries, to automotive, building, and hairdressing sectors.
Commander Baxter stated that along with sanctioning companies, the ABF had been additionally working to tell migrant employees of their rights.
“Migrant employees don‘t always have the family and networks here for help and advice when they are being treated unfairly at work,“ he said.
“We strongly encourage the reporting of worker exploitation, which can be made anonymously.
“These reports can be crucial in shining the light on what is an insidious issue.”
Mr Baxter said reports could be made about businesses through the Border Watch website regardless of a person’s visa standing.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
