Migrant exploitation experts call for increase to services accredited with certifying Workplace Justice Visas. Migrant Justice Institute co-executive director Laurie Berg said while the pilot was world-leading, the government needed to expand the list of partner organisations able to process claims.
United Petroleum Outlets Fined for Underpaying Workers - HRD Australia
Case issues underlining migrant worker exploitation problem in Australia.
Data from the Migrant Justice Institute quoted within article.
Government wage claim system review: Key MJI recommendations adopted
The Australian government has released its report on the review of the federal court system for claiming unpaid wages. It adopts several key reforms we proposed in last year’s All Work, No Pay report, which we submitted in draft to the review. These include a new ‘equal access costs’ model that will remove unfair legal costs for workers who successfully recover the wages they are owed.
New 'justice visa' for exploited migrant workers
The Law Report | Damien Carrick
Damien spoke to one of the first exploited migrant workers to obtain the new workplace justice visa.
He also interviewed our Co-Executive Director Laurie Berg about our All Work, No Pay report.
Migrant workers have long been too scared to report employer misconduct. A new visa could change this
The conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful employer conduct goes unreported.
On Wednesday, however, the government officially launched a two-year pilot of innovative visa reforms that could bring these workers out of the shadows.
Australia has a new Workplace Justice visa
Today, the Australian government introduced world-leading visa reforms based on our 2023 proposal, Breaking the Silence, which was endorsed by over 40 organisations. A new ‘Workplace Justice visa’ enables migrants worker to stay in Australia to enforce their labour rights; while expolited workers who have breached their visa will have protections from visa cancellation while they take action against their employer.
Ni-Vanuatu women unite to overcome seasonal work 'nightmare'
ABC | Gabriella Marchant and Sean Mantesso
A case brought to the Federal Court by 12 Pacific Islander female workers alleges the group was subject to persistent sexual harassment.
Laurie Berg, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, says there is a "cycle of impunity" when it comes to the abuse of migrant workers.
2024 National Temporary Migrant Work Survey
New visa portability rights empower sponsored migrants to leave exploitative employers
New laws taking effect today introduce powerful portability rights for employer-sponsored migrant workers – among the strongest in the world. Globally, employer-tied visas trap migrant workers in exploitative work and create a profound power imbalance between abusive employers and migrants who cannot complain or leave their job.
Recovering lost wages is nearly impossible for Australia’s underpaid migrant workers
The Conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
New research has found that in reality, the federal “small claims” court process is virtually impossible to use without legal support.
'Virtually impossible' for migrant workers to hold employers accountable for unpaid wages
Half of 4,000 interveiwed migrant workers being underpayed, research shows
The Guardian | Cait Kelly
Of the 4,000 migrant workers interviewed, over half were underpaid. Most knew this, but 9 in 10 did nothing. One went to court – but recovered none of their wages. It is not clear that wages claims are being systematically resolved via other legal forums or by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the report said.
Recovering lost wages is nearly impossible for Australia’s underpaid migrant workers. Here’s how to fix the problem
The Conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
The widespread underpayment of migrant workers in Australia is now well-documented. The vast majority never recover the wages they are owed.
REPORT: All Work No Pay
Australian survey on international student exploitation planned
THE PIE | Sophie Hogan
A survey examining the degree to which international students are exploited while working in Australia is launching another edition in July.
New Australian law is a victory for migrant workers
Today, the Australian parliament passed an important law implementing reforms for which we have been campaigning for years with our allies. The new law decriminalising undocumented workers; confirms that workplace protections apply to all workers regardless of their migration status; strengthens the accountability of employers; and takes the first step towards visa protections for exploited workers.
Ending the silence on migrant worker exploitation
Over 70,000 people live in Australia illegally ... many are vulnerable to exploitation
Submission: AHRC Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023 [Provisions]
![Submission: AHRC Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023 [Provisions]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/593f6d9fe4fcb5c458624206/1707271600441-NQYX0ZSUXPXYGJ5AXDA6/MJI+Submissions+%281%29.png)
We strongly support the passage of this bill in its current form and are proud to be part of the Power to Prevent Coalition that has advocated for this reform. In early 2024 we will release All Work No Pay, a report which will strongly encourage the Government to introduce similar amendments in relation to small claims.
Backpackers spared from migration overhaul
AFR | Michael Read
“Advocates for limiting the working holiday program to one year argue the requirement to work in the regions left workers open to exploitation. A survey by the Migrant Justice Institute found that almost half of all working holidaymakers reported being paid well below the minimum wage.”