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Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market (Read 1166 times)
whiteknight
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Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Oct 18th, 2016 at 6:46am
 

    October 15 2016
    Sydney Morning Herald

Backpacker work visa scheme risks becoming 'black market'


Backpackers on Australian working-holiday visas are being grossly underpaid, or in some cases paid nothing at all, as authorities fear the program is becoming a "black market" for exploited labour.   Sad

An investigation into the federal government's popular 417 'backpacker' visa program has scrutinised the employment of more than 4000 visa workers in rural areas, and uncovered alarmingly high levels of abuse.



A two year investigation by Fair Work Australia into backpacker labour within the farming sector has revealed alarming results.

One in every three foreign workers on a 417 visa was not receiving legal minimum pay, the investigation found, and many had been subjected to sexual harassment and grave health and safety violations.   Shocked

The findings, released on Saturday by the federal workplace watchdog, provide the most comprehensive overview yet of the misuse of Australia's scandal-plagued working visa schemes.

Some employers are 'establishing a business model' around vulnerable, low-paid visa workers.

A slew of migrant worker underpayment cases have come to light in recent years spanning sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, retail and convenience store chain 7-Eleven, where many employees held temporary visas.   Sad

The Fair Work Ombudsman launched the national inquiry into the 417 working-holiday visa scheme in 2016 in response to "escalating complaints" from visa holders.


The agency said foreign workers in the program were particularly vulnerable to exploitation if they were seeking to extend their stay on the condition they undertake 88 days of paid work in regional areas, mainly in agriculture, forestry or fishing.

"The 417 visa is regarded by both visa holders and employers as a 'ticket' to work in Australia," the inquiry found.

One in three working holiday visa-holders was not receiving legal minimum pay.   

"The desire for a second-year visa extension can drive vulnerable workers to agree to work for below minimum entitlements and in some circumstances, enter into potentially unsafe situations."   

Among the watchdog's most troubling findings include 66 per cent of workers surveyed felt employers were taking advantage of them and undercutting legal wages; while more than 35 per cent confirmed they were being paid less than the minimum wage.   Angry

Nearly half said working backpackers were unlikely to complain about their employment conditions for fear their employer would not sign off on the regional work component needed to extend their stay in Australia.

About 14 per cent revealed they had to "pay in advance" to secure a regional job, and 6 per cent had to pay an employer to sign off on their work requirement.

Nearly 40 per cent described their regional work experiences as "excellent or very good", while 35 per cent said it was "fair or poor".

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James on Saturday raised concerns that unscrupulous employers were targeting working-holiday visa holders via social media channels, and "establishing a business model" based on these workers.

"The backpacker labour force is vital to some industries associated with food production in regional areas," Ms James said.

"But we are at risk of it being a black market, exploited labour force if the settings remain the same."

The report recommends changes to visa rules and laws, better use of existing laws and an enhanced and more joined-up effort across government to ensure 417 visa holders are better protected and more aware of their work rights.

   
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BigOl64
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #1 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:22am
 


Make the bastard farmers employ dole bludgers instead of backpackers; get to punish 2 lots of useless scumbags with the same solution.  Smiley Smiley

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whiteknight
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #2 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:31am
 
How about they make the farmers pay the proper legal minimum pay rates?.   Sad
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BigOl64
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #3 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:51am
 
whiteknight wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:31am:
How about they make the farmers pay the proper legal minimum pay rates?.   Sad      



But make them pay dole bludgers instead of hard working backpackers, at least until they learn their lesson, maybe a season or three.  Smiley Smiley

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whiteknight
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #4 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:58am
 
It doesn't matter who they pay.  Backpackers or the unemployed, or who ever.  They still should pay no less than the minimum pay rate.   Sad
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juliar
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #5 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:16am
 
But dole bludgers have no work ethic and are not worth feeding and are more trouble than they are worth.

It is up to the backpackers to decide if they want to pick fruit. Fruit picking is not for the faint of heart as it is a tough business.

The farms are squeezed by the supermarkets and simply cannot afford to pay very much.

The backpackers need to make the farmers compete for their labor.

The fruit picking business has always been like this. It is temporary work that's good while it lasts. You earn what you pick.


Who do the Chinese fruit farms employ ? Only Chinese who work really hard ?
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Its time
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #6 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:17am
 
whiteknight wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:58am:
It doesn't matter who they pay.  Backpackers or the unemployed, or who ever.  They still should pay no less than the minimum pay rate.   Sad



Smiley
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BigOl64
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #7 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:23am
 
Its time wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:17am:
whiteknight wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:58am:
It doesn't matter who they pay.  Backpackers or the unemployed, or who ever.  They still should pay no less than the minimum pay rate.   Sad



Smiley



And as a punishment they should be forced to use dole bludgers instead of hard working backpackers for at least 1 to 3 seasons.

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juliar
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #8 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:28am
 
It is a matter of whether you want Australian farms to be able to survive or go bankrupt and then import diseased fruit from China or only want the Chinese owned fruit farms to survive.

Where the attack should be directed is at the supermarkets who relentlessly squeeze the farmers.
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Its time
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #9 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:31am
 
BigOl64 wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:23am:
Its time wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:17am:
whiteknight wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:58am:
It doesn't matter who they pay.  Backpackers or the unemployed, or who ever.  They still should pay no less than the minimum pay rate.   Sad



Smiley



And as a punishment they should be forced to use dole bludgers instead of hard working backpackers for at least 1 to 3 seasons.



Yes Bighole I did see your first post that said exactly the same thing
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BigOl64
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #10 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:37am
 
Its time wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:31am:
BigOl64 wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:23am:
Its time wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 9:17am:
whiteknight wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 7:58am:
It doesn't matter who they pay.  Backpackers or the unemployed, or who ever.  They still should pay no less than the minimum pay rate.   Sad



Smiley



And as a punishment they should be forced to use dole bludgers instead of hard working backpackers for at least 1 to 3 seasons.



Yes Bighole I did see your first post that said exactly the same thing



And yet you "toppied" white night who replied to, but misunderstood the statement.


Some times you have to repeat stuff for the less.  Smiley

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juliar
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #11 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 4:55pm
 
Fruit picking is piece work. The more you pick the more you make. Pick nothing and you get nothing.

It is NOT fixed pay work ie whether you work or not you still get paid.

If someone is not making much then they are not picking enough fruit,
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John Smith
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Re: Fears Backpacker Program Becoming A Black Market
Reply #12 - Oct 18th, 2016 at 5:57pm
 
juliar wrote on Oct 18th, 2016 at 4:55pm:
Fruit picking is piece work


we have a minimum wage in Australia ... you pay it,

only once you've paid that can offer to pay more for any amount picked over a predetermined amount
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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.
 
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