The Fair Work Ombudsman and Department of Home Affairs compliance officers inspected food sector employers who engage migrant workers in Brisbane last week.
Fair Work Inspectors made surprise visits to about 40 businesses, checking the time and wage records to ensure workers are being paid correctly. They also ran a close eye over pay slips and other important records.
The focus was on employers of sponsored visa holders under the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa program who operate in the fast food, restaurants and cafes sector in more than 20 suburbs across Brisbane, including the CBD.
Fair Work Inspectors spoke with business owners, managers and employees on the ground, and requested records. They also provided advice and education on compliance matters.
Home Affairs Sponsor Monitoring Unit officers supported FWO in a joint, highly visible demonstration that “Australia will not tolerate abuse of migrant workers or any visa regimes”.
They provided on-site education about migrant worker protections and the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2023 (SEC Act), which came into effect in July this year to combat the exploitation of temporary migrant workers.
Acting FWO Michael Campbell says the workplace regulator continues to prioritise the protection of vulnerable workers such as visa holders, who are heavily represented in the food sector.
“We consider workplace breaches that involve migrant workers to be particularly serious as they can be vulnerable to exploitation. We find they are often unaware of their workplace rights or unwilling to speak up if something seems wrong,” he says.
“It is crucial migrant workers know that they have the same workplace rights as all other workers. We urge workers with concerns about wages and entitlements to reach out to us.”
Mr Campbell notes that the fast food, restaurants and cafes sector remain a priority area for the FWO and urges employers to prioritise compliance.
“Employers should access our free tools and resources to ensure they’re meeting their obligations or contact the FWO directly for free advice,” he says.
