'Harrowing stories of mistreatment and harm' in modern slavery report

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in regional areas released an 188-page report detailing harrowing stories of mistreatment and harm. The report calls for urgent changes after hearing shocking accounts of exploitation and poor treatment of these workers. The 31 recommendations made by the committee include introducing a labor-hire licensing scheme, increasing enforcement powers for police and SafeWork NSW, and adjusting visa settings to allow PALM workers to change employers more easily.

The committee heard from almost 100 witnesses and 60 submissions, finding that temporary migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to unscrupulous operators and labor hire companies. Many of these workers face near uninhabitable living conditions, forced longer working hours, and threats if they speak up. Some berry pickers on the Coffs Coast were found to be systematically exploited by informal labor hire syndicates.

The report highlighted the need for better collaboration between state and federal government agencies to stamp out these illegal practices.

NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne emphasized that the report was informed by evidence from almost 100 witnesses and 60 submissions, and laid out why temporary migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. He urged the government to investigate allegations of systemic labor exploitation in Coffs Harbour and the Nambucca Valley. The committee found that too many temporary migrant workers have experienced or are at serious risk of experiencing modern slavery in NSW.

Nationals Leader and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh called for more collaboration between state and federal government agencies to address these issues. He expressed shock at the behavior of some farmers and emphasized that the good farmers would be most disgusted by the actions of a few. NSW Modern Slavery Committee Chair Joe McGirr stressed the importance of protecting temporary migrant workers in regional industries, particularly agriculture.

The report serves as a stark reminder that we must do better in engaging with our migrant workforce and ensure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.