[Compiled report by Australian Network] A new report recently released by the New South Wales Migrant Workers Center and Union (MWCU) shows that 78% of Australian migrant workers in the horticulture industry are paid less than the minimum wage, and some people earn only 9 yuan a day (Australian dollars, below) same). In this regard, Kate, a backpacker from Taiwan, China, told her own story to call for improvement.
Migrant worker wages are calculated by piece
SBS reported that the NSW MWCU surveyed more than 1,300 migrant workers from the end of September 2020 to the end of February 2021 and found that 78% were paid below the minimum level.
Mark Morey from Unions NSW said in many low-wage cases, migrant workers were paid by the piece (based on the amount of fruit picked in the basket) rather than by the hour. In addition to this, some employers charge workers for room and board. "What's happening in our regional and rural areas is really scary. These migrant workers and young Australians are being exploited and it has to be stopped."
Taiwanese workers tell their experiences
Morey and Kate traveled to Canberra together , I hope the issue of low wages will arouse concern among members of Congress.
Kate came to Australia from Taiwan in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. She was lured by ads promising adventure and earning money while on vacation. But she discovered something was different.
Kate, who is assigned to a lemon and citrus farm, can only earn 24 yuan a day, which is less than the minimum wage. And Kate is paid by the piece, not hourly cash.
The living environment was also something Kate was not prepared for. "I once looked for food in trash cans and had to live in a room with seven other people."
In addition, a job advertisement for a strawberry farm specifically stated that they "only want workers from Asia."
Kate said: "I think it's discriminatory. Just because we Asians are willing to work hard to pick strawberries."
Kate was also sexually harassed on a farm and was told that she had to put up with it if she wanted to keep her job. "It was the lockdown period and it was hard to find a job, so I endured it."
She eventually left, but she thought she should have had the courage to leave earlier. "My advice to others is to protect yourself. When faced with sexual harassment from a labor contractor or employer, you don't have to comply or tolerate it. Run and leave them."
Kate, who traveled to Canberra this time, said: "I hope Politicians can treat and take care of backpackers because we are doing work that Australians don’t want to do.”
The Victorian government has increased support for seasonal pickers
The Victoria government’s official website reported that in this regard, the Victoria government began. action, updating critical projects across the state.
Victoria’s Minister of Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, announced on the 15th that the government will expand the previously highly successful “Seasonal Picking Registration Benefit” project and provide an isolation pathway for workers from the Pacific region, thereby increasing the number of workers in the state. of picking labor.
Victoria and Tasmania's quarantine project will last until after June 30 this year, providing a reliable pathway for up to 1500 Pacific workers.
The "Seasonal Picking Registration Benefit" project also continues. More than 1,800 workers have received the first benefit of 810 yuan after completing 10 days of work. (Compiled by Sun Shishi)
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