Pacific Islander fruit pickers and farm employees throughout two states will likely be discovered new jobs after a federal choice to revoke a business licence in response to what unions say quantities to fashionable slavery.
Prominent Australian labour rent firm Linx Employment has been beneath investigation following claims employees have been mistreated.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will maintain emergency conferences with greater than 200 Linx employees in Queensland and Tasmania.
Workers on the Tasmanian labour rent firm declare administration seized their visas, refused to offer pay slips and workers have been bullied and threatened.
The union claims many have been stranded with out employment and revenue for months.
Hundreds of employees who’ve already left the corporate and stay in authorized limbo may also be assisted find new employment by the division.
Australian Workers Union nationwide secretary Paul Farrow stated the business mannequin amounted to fashionable slavery.
“If you go to the Australian Federal Police website and look at the checklist for modern slavery, you will find these workers tick a lot of the boxes,” Mr Farrow stated.
“Many have been weeks or months without work, and unlike other workers, they cannot simply go to another employer.
“Management withhold employees’ visas, refuse to offer pay slips, and resort to bullying and threats to ship employees house when issues are raised.”
Diplomats from Samoa, Vanuatu and PNG have also been informed of developments at Linx.
The company claims to have a large database of local and international workers sourcing long-term employment solutions from the Pacific Islands.
“Our workers are dedicated to discovering the precise options for our Host Employers and provide an economical mannequin to boost productiveness inside companies,” the Linx web site reads.
Linx declined to touch upon the federal authorities ruling.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au