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

A new report from a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry has exposed "harrowing stories of mistreatment and harm" faced by temporary migrant workers in regional areas. The 188-page document details significant risks of modern slavery, prompting calls for urgent government action.

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The committee was shocked to hear the way survivors had been deceived and mistreated, often living in near uninhabitable conditions, forced to work demanding hours and threatened if they spoke up.

The inquiry heard "many horrors," with survivors describing how they were deceived, mistreated, and forced to live in "near uninhabitable conditions." Workers often endured demanding hours and faced threats if they spoke out. The report highlighted that the experiences of migrant workers "deviated so dramatically from the expectations these workers had of this country... is a source of great shame."

Key recommendations include the immediate introduction of a labor-hire licensing scheme and enhanced enforcement powers for police and SafeWork NSW. The report specifically calls for an investigation into allegations of systemic labor exploitation in Coffs Harbour and the Nambucca Valley, where berry pickers have reportedly been "systematically exploited by a group of informal labour hire syndicates."

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The committee was alarmed to hear that these labour hire operators may be engaging in coercive and threatening behaviour, to thwart attempts to report their conduct to relevant agencies.

Concerns were also raised about coercive and threatening behavior by labor hire operators attempting to prevent workers from reporting misconduct. The report found that the vulnerability of workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme to exploitation is clear. Further recommendations involve adjusting visa settings to allow PALM workers to change employers more easily and reviewing the Working Holiday Maker Program.

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What these migrant workers experienced is unacceptable and serves as a stark reminder that we must do better in how we engage with our migrant workforce.