The Albanese Government is taking decisive steps to safeguard workers from exploitation, particularly temporary visa holders, by introducing a comprehensive set of measures. This package aims to hold accountable employers who seek to exploit vulnerable workers and create an environment where employees can speak up without fear of reprisal.
Disturbingly, one in six recent migrants in Australia receives wages below the minimum standard. This not only harms the affected individuals but also drives down wages and worsens working conditions for all Australian workers.
In an effort to rectify a decade of neglect, the Albanese Government is addressing the failures of the previous Liberal Government, which overlooked crucial recommendations outlined in the Migrant Workers Taskforce Report, a press release from Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, said.
After extensive consultation spanning eight months, the Albanese Government is now unveiling a range of legislative powers, enforcement tools, increased funding, and a fresh approach to empower individuals in exploitative workplaces to voice their concerns.
Minister Giles will soon introduce legislation to Parliament that penalises unscrupulous employers. The new measures will include:
- Criminalising the coercion of individuals to breach their visa conditions.
- Implementing prohibition notices to prevent employers who have exploited migrants from hiring further temporary visa holders.
- Enhancing penalties and introducing new compliance tools to deter exploitation.
- Repealing section 235 of the Migration Act, which undermines the reporting of exploitative behavior.
To ensure effective enforcement and compliance, the Government will allocate $50 million in funding to resource the Australian Border Force and other relevant activities.
Additionally, the Albanese Government is committed to supporting those who have experienced exploitation and enabling them to come forward. The Government plans to consult with businesses, unions, and civil society to strengthen whistleblower protections for temporary visa holders and establish a clear separation between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs.
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