Report shows systemic workplace exploitation
The Migrant Justice Institute has released a new report: Off the Books: Inside Australia’s hidden system of migrant worker exploitation.
This report confirms what Women’s Legal sees everyday – that migrant workers experience systemic workplace exploitation. We also know that working migrant women experience unique exploitation, such as sexual harassment and discrimination.
The Working Women’s Centre NSW is advocating for stronger protections for migrant workers. Our recent submissions include:
- National Employment Standards (NES) Inquiry
- Closing Loopholes Review
- Wage Theft Framework Inquiry
We’re also calling for the following reforms to improve protections for migrant workers:
- Strategic, targeted and proactive compliance and enforcement from the Fair Work Ombudsman to target industries characterised by high rates of migrant worker exploitation.
- More accessible pathways for migrant workers to recover their unpaid wages outside of court
- The expansion of the Workplace Justice Visa and Strengthening Reporting Protections pilot to allow more Community Legal Centres to certify workplace claims for migrant workers.
- The expansion of the Fair Entitlement Guarantee (FEG) to include migrant workers, because temporary visa holders deserve equal protection.
We support the recommendations made by the Off the Books report.
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