Nearly impossible' to earn a decent wage at big supplier to Coles and Woolworths

Date
    October 3, 2015 


Jessica Zaccaria, a fruit picker from Italy, has experienced low pay in Australia.



Jessica Zaccaria says it is "nearly impossible" to earn a decent wage picking berries at Costa, a huge supplier to Australia's biggest supermarkets.   :(

In five weeks of picking raspberries in Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour, the Italian backpacker's wage averaged just $14.19 an hour, her payslips show.

Ms Zaccaria was paid "piece rate", which means the more you pick the more you earn. Sometimes she worked 11 days in a row doing tough physical work while some supervisors treated workers poorly.

It comes after a Fairfax Media investigation, published on Thursday, highlighted that exploitation of temporary foreign workers across the Australian economy was now systemic, with many jobs fetching just $10 to $13 an hour, well below the minimum wage.   :(


The comprehensive study of 1071 job advertisements in Mandarin aimed at temporary foreign workers, showed 80 per cent pay below either the minimum wage or award, suggesting many hundreds of thousands of people are being illegally underpaid at any one time, and that some industries now rely heavily on underpaid foreign workers.

Ms Zaccaria, who had a 417 "working holiday" visa, gave evidence on Thursday in the Fair Work Commission as part of an ongoing legal case by the National Union of Workers that a workplace agreement between Costa and its workers leaves them worse off than the award – the basic wages and conditions safety net.   :(

Earlier this year Costa's berry business - marketed under the brand Driscoll's - had been forced to withdraw the workplace agreement after it was challenged by the NUW.

The battle at Costa – the family company of prominent businessman and ex-Geelong Football Club president Frank Costa – is part of a bigger push by the union to organise the food supply chain of supermarkets Coles and Woolworths.

Many of the workers at Costa in Corindi are foreign, Ms Zaccaria says. Her co-workers came from around the world including India, the Philippines and Taiwan.

But a Costa human resources executive, Carl Phillips, rejected the NUW's claim that the deal with workers left those earning piece rates worse off.

He told the Fair Work Commission that an average, competent worker would be able to earn 15 per cent more than those on hourly wages – which is the legal minimum requirement under the award for piece work.

Ms Zaccaria said the work was hard and taxing since she started there in June. Although she was not the best picker it was hard to earn a decent wage.

"The work is difficult and physically demanding," her witness statement said.

"To reach the speed of which work would need to be performed in order to earn a decent wage seemed impossible."   :(

Each day Costa adjusts the piece rate and Ms Zaccaria said her income varied greatly depending on the daily rate set by her employer and weather conditions.


As a backpacker, Ms Zaccaria could manage financially, but that's not the case for all her colleagues.

"Other people who have family, other people who have dependants, it's a struggle."

Ms Zaccaria moved to Australia in late 2014 from London, where she had worked as barista. She found working conditions at Costa tough with little time for breaks.

"From the very first day, there were a series of events ... where I or other workers were being threatened by the supervisor," her statement alleged.

There is little certainty around work either, with pickers finding out about shifts often with less than two hours' notice.

Checking a Facebook page each morning, blueberry pickers at Costa Berry's find out from 5am onwards if they have work and when they need to start.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/investigations/nearly-impossible-to-earn-a-decent-wage-at-big-supplier-to-coles-and-woolworths-20151002-gjznri.html#ixzz3nRdCKpm7

Let her go and earn an indecent one then.

god this guys a whinger isnt he...
if it wasnt for ALDI he would never crack a smile

this has got to be the worst country in the world to live according to crook...he makes his day printing up misery...

hey go live in Germany where ALDI comes from crook...it should make your day just a tiny bit pleasant .. >:( >:( >:(

Crook is just the conscience of the country.

He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom.

;D ;D ;D ;D

So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :(

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 8:16am:

Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Maybe he could walk around and get a job?

mariacostel wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 10:23am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:16am: Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe he could walk around and get a job?

That is the gloom, he is worried he might have to return to work one day if the Libs keep stuffing the economy!  ;D

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 8:19am:

So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :(

you never mention companies that pay their workers over and above wages   and a lot do.......

she doesnt have to put up with it.. what happened to the famous FAIRWORK act that was supposed to stop all this?????????????????

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 10:33am:

mariacostel wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:23am: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:16am: Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe he could walk around and get a job? That is the gloom, he is worried he might have to return to work one day if the Libs keep stuffing the economy!  ;D

no labor will do that.... 5 weeks holidays penalty rates..rec days...you will be lucky to find a job that needs you 5 days a week....wont be long labor will have youse all be  doing 3 days on 4 days off... way to go..

oops forgot the 2 hour lunch breaks.... and 6 hr days...

cods wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 10:42am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:33am: mariacostel wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:23am: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:16am: Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe he could walk around and get a job? That is the gloom, he is worried he might have to return to work one day if the Libs keep stuffing the economy!  ;D no labor will do that.... 5 weeks holidays penalty rates..rec days...you will be lucky to find a job that needs you 5 days a week....wont be long labor will have youse all be  doing 3 days on 4 days off... way to go.. oops forgot the 2 hour lunch breaks.... and 6 hr days...

Mmm that sounds good cods, I might give up retirement and return to work. 

But then again 52 weeks holiday a year is hard to beat!

Lets hope the libs dont stuff the economy and my pension.

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 6:42am:

Nearly impossible' to earn a decent wage at big supplier to Coles and Woolworths Date     October 3, 2015  Jessica Zaccaria, a fruit picker from Italy, has experienced low pay in Australia. Jessica Zaccaria says it is "nearly impossible" to earn a decent wage picking berries at Costa, a huge supplier to Australia's biggest supermarkets.   :( In five weeks of picking raspberries in Corindi, north of Coffs Harbour, the Italian backpacker's wage averaged just $14.19 an hour, her payslips show. Ms Zaccaria was paid "piece rate", which means the more you pick the more you earn. Sometimes she worked 11 days in a row doing tough physical work while some supervisors treated workers poorly. It comes after a Fairfax Media investigation, published on Thursday, highlighted that exploitation of temporary foreign workers across the Australian economy was now systemic, with many jobs fetching just $10 to $13 an hour, well below the minimum wage.   :( The comprehensive study of 1071 job advertisements in Mandarin aimed at temporary foreign workers, showed 80 per cent pay below either the minimum wage or award, suggesting many hundreds of thousands of people are being illegally underpaid at any one time, and that some industries now rely heavily on underpaid foreign workers. Ms Zaccaria, who had a 417 "working holiday" visa, gave evidence on Thursday in the Fair Work Commission as part of an ongoing legal case by the National Union of Workers that a workplace agreement between Costa and its workers leaves them worse off than the award – the basic wages and conditions safety net.   :( Earlier this year Costa's berry business - marketed under the brand Driscoll's - had been forced to withdraw the workplace agreement after it was challenged by the NUW. The battle at Costa – the family company of prominent businessman and ex-Geelong Football Club president Frank Costa – is part of a bigger push by the union to organise the food supply chain of supermarkets Coles and Woolworths. Many of the workers at Costa in Corindi are foreign, Ms Zaccaria says. Her co-workers came from around the world including India, the Philippines and Taiwan. But a Costa human resources executive, Carl Phillips, rejected the NUW's claim that the deal with workers left those earning piece rates worse off. He told the Fair Work Commission that an average, competent worker would be able to earn 15 per cent more than those on hourly wages – which is the legal minimum requirement under the award for piece work. Ms Zaccaria said the work was hard and taxing since she started there in June. Although she was not the best picker it was hard to earn a decent wage. "The work is difficult and physically demanding," her witness statement said. "To reach the speed of which work would need to be performed in order to earn a decent wage seemed impossible."   :( Each day Costa adjusts the piece rate and Ms Zaccaria said her income varied greatly depending on the daily rate set by her employer and weather conditions. As a backpacker, Ms Zaccaria could manage financially, but that's not the case for all her colleagues. "Other people who have family, other people who have dependants, it's a struggle." Ms Zaccaria moved to Australia in late 2014 from London, where she had worked as barista. She found working conditions at Costa tough with little time for breaks. "From the very first day, there were a series of events ... where I or other workers were being threatened by the supervisor," her statement alleged. There is little certainty around work either, with pickers finding out about shifts often with less than two hours' notice. Checking a Facebook page each morning, blueberry pickers at Costa Berry's find out from 5am onwards if they have work and when they need to start. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/investigations/nearly-impossible-to-earn-a-decent-wage-at-big-supplier-to-coles-and-woolworths-20151002-gjznri.html#ixzz3nRdCKpm7

Tell that to the 800,000 in Tony's Gulag = Work For the Dole.  If WFTD was actually doing something - roads, dams etc - it might be worth something - but as it is, it is just beating up on those with no job and no hope of getting one while they are chained in that work gang.

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 8:19am:

So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :(

Whatever you do don't criticize coles and woolworths. It's no good for the share price and cod's super :D LOL

It appears from the article that conditions are stacked against the worker with variable targets every day. If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day.

It just means the harder you work one day the harder you have to work the next day with increased target.

Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 12:03pm:

It appears from the article that conditions are stacked against the worker with variable targets every day. If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. It just means the harder you work one day the harder you have to work the next day with increased target.

Tovarish - is quota you are needing to meet - not meeting quota and for you five years in Gulag...

cods wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 10:42am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:33am: mariacostel wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:23am: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:16am: Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe he could walk around and get a job? That is the gloom, he is worried he might have to return to work one day if the Libs keep stuffing the economy!  ;D no labor will do that.... 5 weeks holidays penalty rates..rec days...you will be lucky to find a job that needs you 5 days a week....wont be long labor will have youse all be  doing 3 days on 4 days off... way to go.. oops forgot the 2 hour lunch breaks.... and 6 hr days...

oops forgot the 2 hour lunch breaks.... and 6 hr days...

I doubt that they will make everyone a manager.

cods wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 10:39am:

she doesnt have to put up with it.

you're right, she could go to work for 7/11 or some Chinese restaurant for $10 hr  :D :D :D

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 8:19am:

So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :(

...it's ok for unions to exploit the small businessman and the tax-payer though

Swagman wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 1:31pm:

wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:19am: So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :( ...it's ok for unions to exploit the small businessman and the tax-payer though

who's exploiting whom? the minimum wage is negotiated by both parties.

Swagman wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 1:31pm:

wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:19am: So its OK to exploit workers is it Cods?.   :( ...it's ok for unions to exploit the small businessman and the tax-payer though

I think Swaggie reckons he works for the public service.

A so called Manager that spends all day on the internet forums

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 12:03pm:

It appears from the article that conditions are stacked against the worker with variable targets every day. If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. It just means the harder you work one day the harder you have to work the next day with increased target.

"Work makes you free". The nazis and the libbos have the same philosophies :(

http://mindshare1.brownrice.com/~culturev/wp-content/uploads/Shoah.jpg

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 1:50pm:

I think

....that's where you went wrong  :D

Sir lastnail wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 1:53pm:

Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 12:03pm: It appears from the article that conditions are stacked against the worker with variable targets every day. If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. It just means the harder you work one day the harder you have to work the next day with increased target. "Work makes you free". The nazis and the libbos have the same philosophies :( http://mindshare1.brownrice.com/~culturev/wp-content/uploads/Shoah.jpg

https://forum.pleaseignore.com/public/style_emoticons/default/emot-godwin.gif

Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 12:03pm:

. If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day.

Knew a paint rep that had to deal with that crap .. when he started with one particular company the target was $1 million for the year (his sales area covered Wollongong all the way to the NSW /Vic border) if he reached it he got a bonus, he reached it so the next year they upped it to $1.1 mill he reached that and they upped it again to $1.2 mil  he quit and went to work for the opposition who had a target of $800 000 for the same area.

Swagman wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 3:21pm:

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 1:50pm: I think ....that's where you went wrong  :D

You didn't need to point it out Swag, it was already obvious that you never think before posting   :D :D :D :D :D

Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 3:24pm:

Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 12:03pm: . If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. Knew a paint rep that had to deal with that crap .. when he started with one particular company the target was $1 million for the year (his sales area covered Wollongong all the way to the NSW /Vic border) if he reached it he got a bonus, he reached it so the next year they upped it to $1.1 mill he reached that and they upped it again to $1.2 mil  he quit and went to work for the opposition who had a target of $800 000 for the same area.

....ah yes.....a splendid example of the benefits of competition and market forces working there Smithy.....

Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 11:32am:

cods wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:42am: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:33am: mariacostel wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 10:23am: Redmond Neck wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:16am: Crook is just the conscience of the country. He walks around with a little black cloud hovering over his head, seeking out the doom and gloom. ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe he could walk around and get a job? That is the gloom, he is worried he might have to return to work one day if the Libs keep stuffing the economy!  ;D no labor will do that.... 5 weeks holidays penalty rates..rec days...you will be lucky to find a job that needs you 5 days a week....wont be long labor will have youse all be  doing 3 days on 4 days off... way to go.. oops forgot the 2 hour lunch breaks.... and 6 hr days... Mmm that sounds good cods, I might give up retirement and return to work.  But then again 52 weeks holiday a year is hard to beat! Lets hope the libs dont stuff the economy and my pension.

Oh the irony, Redneck.


You are a pensioner (public service, presumably, indexed)
You location: ACT
Avatar: a BMW bike
Your slogan:  "OK the next challenge - Getting rid of Turncoat!"

Largely correct except the public service pension

BTW there is nothing wrong with BMW motorcycles, they last forever, I have owned may brands. 

And they dont look like the Mechanics Two Wheel Tractor

Swagman wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 3:53pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 3:24pm: Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 12:03pm: . If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. Knew a paint rep that had to deal with that crap .. when he started with one particular company the target was $1 million for the year (his sales area covered Wollongong all the way to the NSW /Vic border) if he reached it he got a bonus, he reached it so the next year they upped it to $1.1 mill he reached that and they upped it again to $1.2 mil  he quit and went to work for the opposition who had a target of $800 000 for the same area. ....ah yes.....a splendid example of the benefits of competition and market forces working there Smithy.....

no, its an example of a boss making his staff do more for less.

Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 5:08pm:

Swagman wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 3:53pm: Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 3:24pm: Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 12:03pm: . If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. Knew a paint rep that had to deal with that crap .. when he started with one particular company the target was $1 million for the year (his sales area covered Wollongong all the way to the NSW /Vic border) if he reached it he got a bonus, he reached it so the next year they upped it to $1.1 mill he reached that and they upped it again to $1.2 mil  he quit and went to work for the opposition who had a target of $800 000 for the same area. ....ah yes.....a splendid example of the benefits of competition and market forces working there Smithy..... no, its an example of a boss making his staff do more for less.

Depends upon how much the bonus payment was?

But his first boss set the target too high and so his employee left because he wasn't willing to pay the price. 

Standard demand theory.

cods wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 8:05am:

he makes his day printing up misery...

Yes, leftards, poor Cods did say this.

Karnal wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 7:08pm:

cods wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 8:05am: he makes his day printing up misery... Yes, leftards, poor Cods did say this.

Why would you think cods is poor her posts are clearly more intelligent than yours.

Swagman wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2015 at 6:34pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 5:08pm: Swagman wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 3:53pm: Johnsmith wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 3:24pm: Unforgiven wrote on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 12:03pm: . If the worker exceeds target one day it is raised the next day. Knew a paint rep that had to deal with that crap .. when he started with one particular company the target was $1 million for the year (his sales area covered Wollongong all the way to the NSW /Vic border) if he reached it he got a bonus, he reached it so the next year they upped it to $1.1 mill he reached that and they upped it again to $1.2 mil  he quit and went to work for the opposition who had a target of $800 000 for the same area. ....ah yes.....a splendid example of the benefits of competition and market forces working there Smithy..... no, its an example of a boss making his staff do more for less. Depends upon how much the bonus payment was? But his first boss set the target too high and so his employee left because he wasn't willing to pay the price.  Standard demand theory.

He took the job with one set of goals, and they kept shifting the goal posts. He started the job working week days only, then he had to work Sat. and then even working Sundays, did they reduce his quota during an economic downturn? not on your life .... and no, his bonus wasn't anywhere near enough to cover the cost of the extra work