Rapid expansion of visa scheme leaves seasonal workers at risk of exploitation

Australia News News

Rapid expansion of visa scheme leaves seasonal workers at risk of exploitation
Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines
  • 📰 GuardianAus
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 34 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 17%
  • Publisher: 98%

Experts say scheme’s rules urgently need significant changes to prioritise worker protection

Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesAs farms began to panic about a likely shortage of labour caused byJust 2,500 people came to Britain in a pilot of the scheme in 2019. But when the predicted shortage came to pass the following year, it was expanded rapidly, before an assessment of the pilot could be concluded.

When the government review of the pilot was finally slipped out on Christmas Eve last year, it had some concerning polling from workers. It showed 29% of labourers said operators did not adhere to contractual agreements, almost half did not receive a contract in their native language, and 15% said their accommodation was not safe, comfortable, hygienic or warm.

David Camp, the chair of the Association of Labour Providers, said: “The scheme rules need significant amendment. Defra and the Home Office need to work with the industry, to work with experts in responsible recruitment, and properly define a scheme that puts worker protection at its heart.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

GuardianAus /  🏆 1. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

AFL and Fifa must rethink concussion rules amid Paul McCrory plagiarism claims, says expertAFL and Fifa must rethink concussion rules amid Paul McCrory plagiarism claims, says expertAnother generation is at risk of developing fatal brain disease, says Dr Chris Nowinski. ‘Whether you’re hitting your child in the head or letting them get tackled, their brain can’t tell the difference’
Read more »

Labor hopeful cashless debit card could be abolished by next weekLabor hopeful cashless debit card could be abolished by next weekThe Albanese government hopes the bill will pass the lower house by Wednesday, allowing about 17,300 cardholders to transition to a more relaxed scheme, or leave it completely by October 4.
Read more »

Increasing permanent migration is the Australian economy’s ‘Ponzi scheme’Increasing permanent migration is the Australian economy’s ‘Ponzi scheme’Sky News host Paul Murray says bringing more migrants to Australia is the economy’s “Ponzi scheme”.
Read more »

Not so sweet: Portarlington locals say they are chocablock with developmentNot so sweet: Portarlington locals say they are chocablock with developmentA chocolate factory may not seem like an obvious symptom of a town undergoing rapid change but a proposal to build one on the outskirts of Portarlington has raised eyebrows among locals.
Read more »

Graduate visas just papering over the skills gapGraduate visas just papering over the skills gapOPINION: We must tackle structural issues around the temporary graduate visa, migration prospects and international graduates’ access to the labour market.
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-03-14 17:40:44