In a decisive move, the Albanese Labor Government has unveiled new legislation aimed at curbing the exploitative practices of employers who take advantage of temporary visa workers. This legislation, introduced by Minister Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, in the House of Representatives today, is a direct response to the recommendations put forth by the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce.
Recognizing that the underpayment and mistreatment of migrant workers have far-reaching consequences for all Australians, the government is determined to tackle this issue head-on.
The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023 carries significant provisions to safeguard the rights of temporary visa holders and empower them to speak up without fear of retaliation, an official press release said.
Among the key provisions of the bill are criminalising coercion of visa condition breaches, the introduction of prohibition notices to prevent further hiring of exploited migrants, enhanced penalties and compliance tools to deter exploitation, and the repeal of section 235 of the Migration Act, which hindered the reporting of exploitative behavior.
By imposing stricter penalties and offering new avenues for enforcement, these measures aim to hold accountable those unscrupulous employers who take advantage of vulnerable workers holding temporary visas.
The introduction of this legislation marks a stark departure from the inaction of the former Liberal Government, which failed to act on the recommendations of the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce Report, sitting on it since 2019.
The Albanese Labor Government’s unwavering belief in the safety and well-being of all workers, regardless of their visa status, is the driving force behind this crucial bill. It signifies a significant step forward in ensuring that no worker is subjected to exploitation, bringing the nation one step closer to achieving that fundamental goal.
“Our migration system has made it easy for unscrupulous employers to exploit vulnerable migrant workers. This exploitation hurts migrants, local workers and employers who are trying to do the right thing. It is completely contrary to Australian values, said Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs.
“The Albanese Government is taking strong action to close loop holes in our migration system. This Bill will help protect the rights of vulnerable workers who have been at risk of exploitation for far too long,” Clare O’Neil said.
Minister Giles said, “The underpayment of migrant workers hurts all Australians, driving wages and conditions down for everyone. Yet for a decade, the former Liberal Government put the safety of some of the most vulnerable workers on the backburner.
“This Bill is a recognition of both the crucial role of migrant workers to our workforce and the importance of addressing the corrosive nature of migrant worker exploitation.
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The Albanese Labor Govt introduces legislation targeting employer exploitation of temporary #visa workers, addressing recommendations from the Migrant Workers' Taskforce. Minister Andrew Giles leads the initiative. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/t09DNY57ne
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