June 6, 2023
1 min read

Australia to end migrant worker exploitation

Employers who are found to have exploited migrants will be prohibited from further hiring workers on temporary visas…reports Asian Lite News

The Australian government on Monday announced a crackdown to better protect temporary visa holders from exploitation and employers who are caught violating the new federal laws could face criminal penalties.

According to a report published by thinktank the Grattan Institute in May, one in six recent migrants to Australia is paid less than the minimum wage, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the changes, which will be introduced to parliament within weeks, coercing someone into breaching their visa condition will be made a criminal offence.

Employers who are found to have exploited migrants will be prohibited from further hiring workers on temporary visas.

Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles described the current situation as a “crisis of exploitation”.

“When migrant workers are being underpaid – it hurts all of us, driving wages and conditions down for everyone,” he said in a statement.

“These reforms will help workers speak up and target those employers who do the wrong thing.”

A section of the Migration Act will also be scrapped to make it easier for visa holders to report exploitative behaviour.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) will receive an extra A$50 million ($32 million) in funding for enforcement activities.

“Over the last 10 years our migration system has drifted deeper and deeper into reliance on low-paid temporary migrant workers who we know are routinely exploited,” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said.

“We are in consultation on systemic changes to our migration system which will ensure it works in the interests of Australian workers and businesses, and we are also doing the work necessary to ensure that no one who comes to this country is exploited or abused.”

ALSO READ: Australian economy unhurt by China’s economic coercion

Previous Story

Balochistan is Bleeding

Next Story

‘Go to Delhi and see yourself’: US lauds democracy in India

Latest from -Top News

Texas flash floods kill at least 24; Trump vows help

President calls tragedy ‘shocking’ as search for missing continues overnight At least 24 people have died in Kerr County, Texas, after catastrophic flooding swept through the region, prompting a large-scale rescue and

UK MPs Slam Pakistan Over Minority Abuses

Minority communities such as Shias, Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis continue to face harassment, violence, and intimidation. In many cases, law enforcement either turns a blind eye or enables the attacks through inaction…reports

Words Won’t Stop China, Quad Must Deliver

 If the Quad aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence, it must expand its focus beyond the maritime domain and address the continental dynamics of the Indo-Pacific…writes Imran Khurshid Despite early concerns that

India Stays Neutral on Dalai Lama Succession

As exiled Tibetan spiritual leader approaches his 90th birthday, he asserted on Wednesday that there will be the 15th reincarnation…reports Asian Lite News Responding to the Dalai Lama’s recent remarks, India on

USAID cut could kill 14 million more deaths

Human rights advocates and global health experts have expressed alarm at the speed and scale of the cuts…reports Asian Lite News A new study published in The Lancet has warned that ongoing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Australian University UTS Maintains Top 150 Global Ranking

UTS maintains its position among the top 150 universities in

UK surpasses Australia as top study abroad choice for Indians

The report indicates a substantial year-on-year growth rate for the