Monday, 13 April 2015

Fair Work Australia - Inquiry into 417 Working Holiday visa wages and conditions


The Fair Work Ombudsman is sending a specialist Overseas Worker Team to the Northern Rivers, Tweed Coast, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions of NSW and Queensland.  The Team will engage with key stakeholders in Byron Bay, Lismore, Gympie and Maroochydore as part of its enquiry into allegations of working holiday visa holder exploitation by unscrupulous employers.


Deliberate exploitation of backpackers seeking to extend their visas by undertaking 88 days specified work in a designated regional area has been identified in other regions. This exploitation took the forms of underpayment, non-payment, employees paying employers and third parties, to receive documentary evidence for the required 88 days work. Exploitation of workers in exchange for accommodation was also found.

The Fair Work Ombudsman reports 10% of its complaints now come from visa holders.

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